And while you are at it, check into the booths you visit.  You will be able to check into the show, the individual buildings and any of the exhibits that have been created using Foursquare, and yes, there is an app for that! 

EXHIBITORS – Pay Attention!  You can set up events as “check ins” for the attendees.  They (or you) can add your company name and location as a “tip” for IMTS so that others know what you have to offer or a booth not to be missed.   To add to the IMTS location, click here.

Go to Foursquare, you can log in with your company Facebook or Twitter accounts – you can then “link” everything together.  You can also add a special within your booth, to set up your location as a check in go to Foursquare and just follow the prompts.

 Want to learn more about Foursquare?  Watch a short vimeo (video) - and start "checking into IMTS!"

Since 2005 there have been billions of “views” on YouTube, yes, BILLIONS!  People watch and forward them on to their friends, family and colleagues.  And like some favorite TV commercials, they all have their favorites.   We thought it would be fun to see what our exhibitors would come up with to entice attendees to visit THEIR booth at IMTS 2012.  As always, they surprised us with very creative concepts – some were funny, some were informative, some gave detailed descriptions of their products but all of them were designed to make that pre-show connection that can lead to a long lasting business relationship.

Vote for your favorites now!

For IMTS exhibitors, it is not too late to submit a commercial for your booth at IMTS!   Give the over 90,000 expected attendees a reason to seek out your company over the other 1800 companies exhibiting – We are giving you 60 Seconds……GO!

IMTS 2012 visitor registration is going full-steam ahead. We’d like to pause to say “thank you” to the man who started it all – Scott MacNaughton, President of Mac-Tech International!

Scott was the first visitor to register for IMTS 2012. His company offers consulting services to the manufacturing industry, as well as placement and recruitment for positions related to lasers, robotics, automation, and others, both domestically and internationally. He’s been to IMTS four times previously.

“We go to the show to meet with a lot of our existing customers, and also gain new customers,” he said. “It’s always a good networking event, but it’s also nice to see a lot of the new technology that’s out there.

“It’s always been a big show in this industry, and it’s nice to see everyone in one spot. You get to see the capital goods, but also the consumables that go along with it. It’s also a great place to find out where the industry is headed as a whole.”

Scott has also done work with students at IMTS to promote careers in manufacturing and educate them about their opportunities and the industry in general.

“There’s such a shortage of talented people in the industry right now,” he said. “I’ve been working with companies and schools and other organizations as to how to get the message out there, to get some of the young people into the industry.

“There are a lot of people in the industry who’ve been in it for a long time, and they’re looking to retire now. Companies are looking to build up the next wave for the future,” he said. “There are all kinds of mixed numbers out there regarding the number of technically skilled jobs that go unfilled, but overall it’s amazing to see how high those numbers can be.”

Scott, we wish you luck at IMTS 2012 … and thanks for kicking things off. See you in Chicago!

IMTS
Rally Fighter Graphic Skins Competition

Are you ready for another Rally Fighter Graphic Skins competition? Local Motors is teaming up with the organizers of the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to host the IMTS Rally Fighter Graphic Skins competition. It starts February 7, 2012 on The Forge at Local Motors.

IMTS takes place September 10-15 in Chicago and features the most advanced manufacturing technology in the world. The show organizers have purchased two Rally Fighters to showcase at this event. They will build one of them at our micro-factory in Chandler, Ariz., the other will be built LIVE on the actual IMTS show floor!

Submit your Designs

Starting today, February 7 thru February 21, 2012.