Networking is one of the top reasons for attending The ASSEMBLY Show, so what better way to kick off the event than with a Welcome Reception right on the show floor. Sponsored by ATI Industrial Automation, this reception will bring back the widely talked about “Taste of Rosemont” featuring flavors and cuisine from local area restaurants. Click here for a list of participating restaurants.  Connect with hundreds of suppliers, buyers and users of assembly equipment while you enjoy food and drinks in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Keynote Presentation - What Lies Ahead for U.S. Manufacturing?
Daniel J. Meckstroth, Ph.D.
Vice President and Chief Economist
MAPI - Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity & Innovation

What can manufacturers expect in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first half of 2014? What manufacturing sectors are expecting growth? Should you add a second shift or build a new assembly line? Or should you batten down the hatches? How will future policy moves in Washington affect manufacturers and the U.S. economy as a whole? Find out when Daniel J. Meckstroth, Ph.D., vice president and chief economist for the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity & Innovation, delivers the keynote address to open The Assembly Show. One of the nation’s foremost economists, Meckstroth will share his insights on the current and future state of U.S. manufacturing.

Showcase Theater Presented by 

New Technology In Cordless Assembly Tools Inspires An Industry Shift
Presenter : Kevin Reiland, Product Manager, Panasonic Assembly Tools

What if you could improve plant floor safety, cut manufacturing costs and contribute in saving the planet? Discover how cordless assembly tools have revolutionized manufacturing and their role in eliminating safety issues such as trip hazards, energy savings over air tools and the environmental rewards in reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, we will reveal the industry shift from air tools to cordless tools with numerous cost-saving examples, evidence of improved ergonomics with reactionless tools, and how cordless tools enhance product quality. By attending we will equip you with the expertise necessary to incorporate cordless assembly tools into your production process.

Read About Kevin Reiland

The Sometimes Unexpected Challenges to Consider When Using Advanced Materials in Next Generation Products, Especially in Medical Devices
Len Czuba
President, Czuba Enterprises

New materials of construction offer improved performance features that are not available in legacy materials. But by going to next generation and specialty polymers, new methods of processing and assembly must be developed and used. A look at the assembly and processing changes required to switch from legacy materials to newer alternatives will be covered.

Read About Len Czuba

Recommendations for Manufacturing Growth in the Tri-State Region
Kelly O'Brien
Senior Vice President of Economic Development,Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Tri State Alliance for Regional Development

Earlier this year, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Tri State Alliance for Regional Development published a landmark review of the assets and challenges to economic growth in the Chicago tri-state metropolitan area. Manufacturing continues to be important to the region, but there are stumbling blocks ahead. For example, there is a serious mismatch between demand and supply of skilled workers in the region. And, the manufacturing industries that have remained in the region have become more capital intensive. In this presentation, you’ll learn the challenges facing the region’s manufacturers and what’s being done to address them.

Showcase Theater Presented by 

Presenter : Virginia Read, Market Segment Manager - Industrial, Dymax Corporation,

Read About Virginia Read

Showcase Theater Presented by

Advancements in Reaction Free Tools - Taking the Twist out of Torque
Presenter : Dave Garner, Marketing Manager - Automation Tools and Reaction Free Tools, Desoutter Industrial Tools

This presentation will be a discussion about the innovations in assembly tools as manufacturers try to solve the issues of tightening fasteners to correct torque specifications and meeting quality standards, while providing a tool that takes away the physical reaction of applying torque - so that assembly line operators have tools that are comfortable to use and manufacturers can reduce costs including the risk of employees with work related repetitive stress injuries.
Read About Dave Garner

On the second day of The ASSEMBLY Show the networking will continue as trade show participants gather in the adjoining meeting space for a Networking Reception sponsored by Nordson EFD. Allowing exhibitors to step away from their booths, this reception promotes even more mingling amongst all event participants. Enjoy libations and hors d’oeuvres as you make connections with new professionals and continue to build relationships with existing business partners.

Keynote Presentation
Michael F. Molnar
Director, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office
Chief Manufacturing Officer, National Institute of Standards and Technology
United States Department of Commerce

Found Money: Resources for Midwest Manufacturers
Manny Rodriguez
Vice President of Business and Economic Development, Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing

There are more than 95 taxpayer-supported programs for grants, low-cost loans, tax incentives and technical services for small and midsized manufacturers, including: Trade Adjustment Assistance; the Employee Training Investment Program; the Workforce Investment Act; Tax Incremental Financing; utility rebates; property tax abatement programs; and a host of others. Do you know how to get this money? You will if you attend this presentation.

The New Illinois Manufacturing Laboratory: What Can It Do for Your Company?
Jeffrey Margolis, Ph.D.
Managing Director, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition

In February, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced his intention to help establish the Illinois Manufacturing Laboratory, an independent, nonprofit entity to be located in Chicago and involve the University of Illinois and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications of Urbana. Quinn pledged $5 million for the startup, which would be matched with additional funding from outside sources. The laboratory will be a place where companies big and small can come to learn and use the world’s most sophisticated tools and software. Discover how this cutting-edge facility can help your company.

Get Help Through the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships
Presenter - TBA
Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center

The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) delivers hands-on technical assistance and strategic advice to help manufacturers to be more productive and globally competitive. Since 1996, IMEC has helped more than 2,500 Illinois manufacturing companies to achieve more than $1.5 billion in productivity, profit and cost savings improvements. IMEC is part of a nationwide network of some 70 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Learn how IMEC is helping manufacturers across Illinois, and discover what your local MEP center can do for your company.