Conference
The Conference
The AMICCON conference and exposition was formed “by manufacturers, for manufacturers” in western New England in order to provide a private and uninterrupted one-day forum for advanced manufacturers. The conference will facilitate manufacturers meeting one another, learning each other’s capabilities, discovering cutting edge technologies – in order to cause new business and to keep it in the region.
The Exposition
Advanced manufacturers from the region will display their capabilities and describe their companies from individual 10’ x 10’ display spaces in over 60,000 square feet of exhibition space at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. The display area will be sectioned off by industry sector served: precision machining, plastics, paper and packaging, electronics, clean technology and medical device manufacturing for the ease of attendees with specific interests. It will also facilitate matchmaking and better knowledge of the region’s manufacturing assets.
The Supply Chains
Manufactures require a sophisticated supply chain. Western New England is home to outstanding, technologically current, subcontractors, vendors and professional service providers. More introductions will be made at AMICCON to include these invaluable resources after 2:00 PM and during a formal cocktail reception at AMICCON on the afternoon of November 16.
The Key Resources
Resources key to advanced manufacturing will also have tabletop displays at AMICCON. Industry organizations and state and federal services will be represented in this invitation only area in the main exhibition hall. A representation of invitees will include: the SBA, SME, SPE, IEEE, DoD, DoE, Mass Export, CT SBIR, NTMA and more.
The Manufacturing Matching Website and Database
Manufacturer introductions will also be made virtually. A dedicated website for the region’s manufacturers will be developed for local and global discovery, exposure and contract inquiries. A database of manufacturers will be developed and maintained. Revenues generated by AMICCON programs will go to the development and maintenance of this website and its database.
The Vision
While taking inventory of the region, a ‘super cluster’ of advanced manufacturers that cross state borders and is supported by a world class supply chain, cutting edge technology and higher education, was discovered by AMICCON and its leadership. Growing and branding the region as the innovation, precision manufacturing hub for the U.S. in exotics, nano, micro, short runs and more, utilizing the latest technologies, is AMICCON’s vision. The Conference is the first step towards that vision.
A Continuum
Early on, the AMICCON Steering Committee realized that having just a single-day event would not be enough to achieve the goals it set for the region. A continuum was needed. With that, the formation of the unique Advanced Manufacturing Venture Competition (AMVC), and a “Higher Education for Manufacturing Day” were conceived. That was enhanced by partnering with strategic manufacturing organizations, events and leadership such as the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), CT SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) in Hartford, CT and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) of Dearborn, MI and its big (800+ exhibitors, 14,000 exhibitors) EASTEC trade show held annually in West Springfield, MA. These events and individual industry cluster events are planned to follow AMICCON starting Fall 2010. AMICCON will return in 2011 and become an annual event thereafter. The mission has begun.
Connecting OEMs with a Manufacturing Super Cluster
The AMICCON goal is to gather OEMs and procurement people at this inaugural November 16 event with the purpose of introducing them to its resident advanced manufacturers. Manufacturing in the region ranges from precision to exotic, utilizing cutting edge technologies and processes. Many manufacturers are OEM-certified: Boeing, Sikorsky, Northrup Grumman, Bell, Hamilton Sundstrand, Pratt & Whitney, and more. Others have expertise in medical device requirements, such as FDA and US Pharmacopoeia. Western New England is home to hundreds of small to mid-size advanced manufacturers with decades of experience in various high end markets.
Department of Defense (DoD)/Aerospace
With many Defense contractors and OEMs based in the region, this year AMICCON will spotlight Defense and Aerospace business opportunities. Defense and Homeland Security are well-funded – with technology pipelines in need of commercialization. Connections to advanced manufacturing hubs are being sought by Washington DC. In a challenging economy, it is a good time to introduce / expand this market sector in the region. The Massachusetts Export Center is leading the way, offering its seminar, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for Defense and Aerospace Export,” at AMICCON. That followed with strong interest in the AMICCON project by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in Washington, D.C. and Defense contractors such as Northrup Grumman – both of whom are invited to participate. AMICCON has a separate 1,700 square foot “focus room” reserved to advance this DoD focus.
Special Focus Rooms
In order to help achieve its mission, AMICCON is providing focus rooms for private conversation. These private rooms (1,700 square feet each) – in addition to the 40,000 square foot Exhibition Hall itself – will be available on November 16:
- OEM & General Procurement Room
- Government Contractors Room
- The “Green” Room
- CEO & Sponsor Lounge
Business Community Support
Word got out that “something unique” was being developed that could positively impact business in the region. It was AMICCON. Offers of support started coming in from banks, law firms, IT, media, insurance, human resources, venues, economic development groups, and more. “How could they help?” Despite knowing their participation in AMICCON would be respectfully limited at the request of the manufacturers, it didn’t matter. Their support stands firm – and sends a very positive message to visitors to AMICCON events and the region.
