This week on MakingChips, guest Michelle Edmonson, Senior Director of Exhibitions Operations and Marketing at AMT, explains the value of IMTS for job shops. Job shops are typically smaller manufacturing companies that often handle custom orders for small or medium-sized companies. This year, IMTS will be focusing on job shops by offering opportunities tailored specifically to these companies. Listen to this episode to hear all about how job shop owners and manufacturers can reap the benefit of attending IMTS 2018. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact Why focus on job shops? Michelle Edmonson explains that in years past IMTS hasn’t had a particular focus. However, job shops as a community make up over 25% of the spend in the manufacturing world. Realizing the important role that these manufacturers play, IMTS leaders decided to survey local job shop owners to discover their needs. The results led IMTS 2018 to focus on job shops, offering specialized opportunities for smaller manufacturers to learn and grow throughout the week. The 3-step program for job shops at IMTS 2018 If you’ve been to IMTS before, then you know that there will be a lot of exhibits. In fact, there are over 2400 exhibitors, displaying the finest in manufacturing innovation and technology. These exhibits are also step one in a three-step program for addressing the unique challenges that job shop and precision machine companies face. Michelle Edmonson explains how many of the exhibits focus on the best business practices of top job shops from around the country and how attendees can see and learn from these manufacturers. There is so much you can learn at IMTS Beyond just the exhibits, IMTS is offering special learning opportunities for job shop owners as well. There are three specific sessions that attendees should consider, starting on Wednesday morning. These courses are the second step in the three-step program focusing on job shops. During the episode, Michelle Edmonson details the schedule and cost for attending the conference sessions. She also highlights the topics of discussion and the value they will bring to job shop manufacturers. A huge prize giveaway at IMTS for job shops The final step in the IMTS 2018 job shop focus is a chance to win a great prize from one of the event’s sponsors. ESAB is offering a welding and cutting garage shop package tailored specifically for precision machine companies. Michelle gives the details of this fantastic package and explains how you can be entered in the giveaway. Only attendees of one of the special conferences offered at IMTS will be eligible. Listen to the interview to hear more details about that and much more. Here’s The Good Stuff! The case for why small, precision machining companies should go to IMTS Manufacturing News: Asbestos is now being allowed back into manufacturing Jim and Jason address the concern about crime in Chicago for IMTS attendees Introduction of Michelle Edmonson, Senior Director of Exhibitions Operations and Marketing at AMT The focus of IMTS 2018 is on job shops The three step program that IMTS is offering job shop owners and manufacturers Michelle Edmonson explains the opportunities offered through learning sessions In order to be a top shop, you have to focus on culture IMTS is a great way to learn how to run your manufacturing business better Tools & Takeaways MTForecast AMT Bethel New Life http://IMTS.com IMTS.com/jobshops ESAB This Week’s Superstar Guest Michelle Edmonson Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify