Edmonton Expo Centre

With western Canada driving the Canadian economy forward, the Western Manufacturing Technology Show brings the expertise needed in a fast-changing sector right to the source: Edmonton, Alberta.

Scheduled for June 4-6th at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, the event will showcase leading-edge machine tools, tooling and accessories, fabrication, design, automation, process control, and plant maintenance equipment all under one roof.

Information sharing will extend beyond equipment, with a notable industry keynote, an interactive town hall panel and multiple opportunities to network and share ideas with colleagues and customers in Western Canada.

“For manufacturers, WMTS is the place to learn, evaluate and compare technologies and solutions on a one-on-one basis. All under one roof, over three days,” says Janine Saperson, event manager. More than 2,000 attendees are expected to attend the biennial event.

Keynote address:

Andrew Comrie-Picard

Champion racecar driver Andrew Comrie-Picard will deliver the keynote address to WMTS and is expected to again entertain with his multiple adventures in international motorsport. Comrie-Picard works full-time as a top rally car driver, precision driver, auto journalist, and television host.

At WMTS he aims to challenge the manufacturing industry to think outside the box by sharing his own insights and experiences. “Growing up in the country, on the farm, it gives you a couple of things,” Andrew says. “you have to figure everything out on your own, which makes you look at things in a different way. It makes you innovative and resourceful.”

Picard is certainly resourceful, having performed motorcycle repairs across Africa in the basements of strangers using batteries as welding equipment, and repairing a Volkswagen minivan in the hills outside Morocco with a stick of chewing gum.

“Engineering at its best is really a marrying of the best available technology with the best intuitive, sensible input from humans,” says Comrie- Picard, who holds five university degrees, competed in the X Games every year from 2006-2010, and left a high-profile law career in New York City to pursue his racing passion full-time.

His keynote will encourage the manufacturing industry to think outside of the box, a skill he relies on whether he’s trying to come first in a rally race or attempting to turn a car into an airplane in three days on a television series. The real message, he says, is to learn to trust intuition when it comes to devising solutions to problems, especially in pressure situations like a tough economy.

Job shop night:

Job shop owners and employees can enjoy free beer and food and meet Comrie-Picard at Job Shop Night on June 5, from 4:00-6:00 PM. WMTS will also feature an engaging education program on the show floor (free with admission), plenty of opportunities to network with technology companies and industry professionals, and a variety of live machinery and product demonstrations.

A Tech Bar on the show floor will offer live, interactive education right in the heart of the action, and a comprehensive lineup of seminar speakers covering topics as diverse as Lean Implementation to welding and cutting technologies.

Opening day Tuesday June 4th will feature six seminars and wraps with a 4:00PM networking reception for attendees, suppliers and industry experts. The Wednesday schedule is just as informative, and begins with a town hall panel discussion on resources for manufacturers in Alberta, moderated by Dr. John Wolodko, portfolio manager, advanced materials at Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF).

Wednesday evening concludes with Job Shop Night, featuring keynote speaker Andrew Comrie-Picard. Thursday’s lineup spans business analytics, continuous improvement and a don’t miss session on doing busi- ness with the Federal Government and the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program.

WMTS, presented by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, is at the Edmonton EXPO Centre (7515-118 Ave) from June 4 to 6, 2013.

More than 2,000 attendees are expected to attend. To learn more about WMTS, visit www.wmts.ca or call 888-322-7333, ext. 4447.