With more than 36,000 manufacturing firms employing 1.3 million people, California is among the fastest-growing manufacturing regions in the United States. Los Angeles has been home to WESTEC for the past few decades.
However, this year WESTEC takes place in a new location: Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, Calif., September 24-26.
The decision to move WESTEC to Long Beach was the result of research that found the geographic center of manufacturing had moved away from Los Angeles toward Long Beach. Not only is Long Beach more easily accessible to the majority of manufacturers, but the city offers affordability because parking, restaurants, and hotel costs are lower. Long Beach also has a more vibrant manufacturing scene. The Port of Long Beach is among the world’s largest shipping ports and the largest driver of the city’s robust economic activity.
Produced by AMT and SME, WESTEC is one of the regional events in the Manufacturing Technology Series, which is tailored to each area’s specific needs. The regional show offers AMT members the chance to connect with the West Coast’s leading manufacturers. Why exhibit at WESTEC?
70 percent of attendees are business owners, corporate executives, managers, or engineers
77 percent influence equipment purchase decisions in their companies
19 percent have equipment budgets exceeding $500,000
Long Beach, a City with Varied Business Sectors
The Long Beach Business Journal reports that the city’s economy is strong and stable, attributable to a diverse cluster of industries. It’s been a hub for aviation, aerospace, and oil since the early 1900s. More recently, automotive, medical, and high-tech industries have contributed to the city’s strength and stability.
Aviation and Aerospace: Many aviation and aerospace companies operate in and around Long Beach Airport. Gulfstream employs approximately 800 workers in the city and performs maintenance and service on several models of its jets.
Oil: Discovered in 1921 under Long Beach, oil remains a vital resource to the city, which sits on top of Wilmington Field. The largest oil field in the Los Angeles Basin and the third largest oil field in the United States, Wilmington generates revenue that is directed into infrastructure and maintenance projects.
Automotive: Long Beach has been the headquarters of DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc., a supplier of automotive parts and systems, since 1984. DENSO has invested nearly $3 billion in autonomous driving and safety technology in order to be well positioned for the future.
Medical: Long Beach is home to several medical centers including St. Mary’s Medical Center with a robotics system and the Veterans Affairs healthcare system housed within California State University. The centers rely on developments from local high-tech companies and small manufacturers.
New AM Pavilion
New at this year’s WESTEC is an Additive Manufacturing Exhibit Pavilion and a full-day Additive Manufacturing Seminar that will focus on the role of 3D printing in sustaining an innovative development culture.
Experience and Learn
In addition to demonstrations of advanced technology in the exhibit hall, WESTEC features dozens of complimentary educational presentations including keynote addresses, technology workshops, and interactive knowledge bars. CNC machining, advanced materials, digital manufacturing, automation, robotics, 3D printing, and machine learning are among the new featured technologies.
“At WESTEC, visitors and suppliers can talk face to face about specific challenges, and connect with colleagues,” says Bonnie Gurney, AMT director – industry partnerships. “The goal of WESTEC is to support the area’s manufacturers with the tools, tips, and knowledge they need to be competitive. You won’t want to miss the Golden State’s premier manufacturing technology show!”
For more information on exhibiting, contact Bonnie Gurney at BGurney@AMTonline.org or visitwww.WESTEConline.com.
