ATExpo conference to feature more than 30 industry developed sessions

The Assembly Technology Expo 2004 Conference will feature state-of-the-art education developed specifically for manufacturing professionals by several of their most respected industry associations.

The conference is held concurrently with Assembly Technology Expo, the world's largest "all assembly" trade event, which will take place September 28-30, 2004, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The ATExpo Conference begins one day earlier on September 27th. The 2004 event will mark ATExpo’s 25th anniversary as the industry’s leading trade event.

The Automated Imaging Association (AIA) and The Robotic Industries Association (RIA) will join the ATExpo list of associations that develop conference sessions in 2004. As part of a previous agreement to co-locate their International Robots & Vision Show with Assembly Technology Expo in 2005, the AIA and RIA start their relationship with ATExpo this year by developing five conference sessions on robotics and machine vision. For 2004, the AIA and RIA will also endorse and support the ATExpo Robotics Pavilion.

In addition to the AIA and RIA, the other industry organizations presenting conference sessions at the ATExpo Conference include: APICS - The Educational Society for Resource Management, The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC), The Edison Welding Institute (EWI), The Wiring Harness Manufacturers Association (WHMA), and ASSEMBLY magazine. Conferees can create a customized curriculum from a wide variety of workshops and technical sessions covering six tracks: Adhesives; Automated Assembly; Lean Manufacturing; Manufacturing Management; Materials Joining; and Wire Processing. Sessions will focus on a variety of high-interest topics including; Lean Production, Flexible Assembly, Robotics in Assembly; Managing for Profitable Assembly; and many more. Electronics manufacturing professionals can find educational solutions at the co-located, annual SMTA International Conference.

"ATExpo has always been proud of the high caliber associations that participate in the conference program and we are excited that the AIA and RIA will be joining the program," said Kelvin Marsden-Kish, Vice President of Reed Exhibitions, producer of the Assembly family of events. "The unparalleled expertise of our many partners enables the Assembly Technology Expo Conference to provide in-depth content and solutions over a broad range of assembly topics."

Three free keynotes highlight ATExpo’s new free educational program
As a complement to the paid conference program, ATExpo will be offering ten free special events as part of the Free Educational Program. The program is highlighted by three entertaining and informative keynote presentations. The expo opens on Tuesday morning, September 28, with the Opening Keynote, "Made in America," presented by television star John Ratzenberger, the producer and host of the Travel Channel’s John Ratzenberger’s Made in America series. Day two starts with an exciting multimedia presentation, "A Tale of Two Rovers – Integrating, Testing, and Operating the Mars Exploration Rovers," delivered by Christopher Salvo, Mission Manager, Mars Exploration Rover for NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratories. And on Thursday, September 30, Karl Eberle, Vice President and General Manager of Harley-Davidson’s Kansas City assembly facility will share their manufacturing successes in the revolutionary concept, "Relationship Driven Leadership, a Unique Manufacturing Environment." All three keynotes will start at 9:00 am.

Other free educational program events are scheduled

"Shingo Prize Approach to World Class Manufacturing," Ross Robson, Executive Director, Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing, on Tuesday, September 28 at 11:00 am.

ASSEMBLY Magazine Panel – "Offshore Assembly Challenges and Opportunities," Moderated by Austin Weber, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY magazine, Tuesday, September 28 at 2:00 pm.

ATExpo 25th Anniversary Networking Reception, Tuesday, September 28 at 5:00 pm.

"The Human Side of Lean," Pascal Dennis, P.Eng., M.Eng., Lean Productivity Systems, Wednesday, September 29 at 11:00 am.

"Original Design Manufacturers: A Viable Outsourcing Alternative with Distinct Business Practice," Eric Miscoll, Senior Consultant and Chief Operating Officer, Technology Forecasters, Inc., Wednesday, September 29 at 2:00 pm.

OktoberFest Networking Reception, Sponsored by Global Automation, Stein Automation, MTA Automation, Visicontrol and Bartec, Wednesday, September 29 at 3:00 pm.

APICS Panel – "Distributing Manufacturing into the Supply Network for a Competitive Edge," Moderated by Richard Godin, CFPIM CIRM, Improvement Is People, Thursday, September 30 at 1:00 pm.

For more information about Assembly Technology Expo or to register for free show admission and conference discounts, visit www.atexpo.com. 

Co-located SMTA International Conference
Attendees from the electronics manufacturing industry can update their technical skills at the co-located SMTA International Conference (organized by the SMTA) taking place on September 26 – 30, 2004.  The conference features 8 new courses, over 120 technical papers, 32 tutorials and workshops on such leading edge technologies as Lead-Free, Flip Chip, MEMS, 0201 Assembly, BGA, Automotive, Lead-Free Rework, Selective Soldering, Failure Analysis and more. SMTA International also offers two focused symposia on Contract Manufacturing and Lead-Free Soldering Technology, and the return of the Emerging Technologies Summit. For more information on sessions and to register, please visit www.smta.org/smtai.