WESTEC 2005 Focuses on Global Competitiveness and Increased Manufacturing Activity

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 26, 2005 -- Off-shoring is a business reality in manufacturing and global competitiveness sets the theme for the WESTEC 2005 exposition and conference being held on April 4-7, 2005 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, in Los Angeles. To remain competitive, manufacturers must embrace ingenuity and rely on their strengths in innovation and technology.

WESTEC, as one of the 200 largest tradeshows in North America, attracts domestic and international manufacturers annually. The WESTEC show floor becomes a virtual factory with more than 1000 companies demonstrating over 7 million pounds of machinery that manufacture parts and products for hundreds of industries. Exhibitors include leading equipment and tooling manufacturers, regional distributors and services from 150 categories representing 2,500 international product lines. This year's WESTEC 2005 event is expected to draw 20,000 attendees who will be provided with opportunities to generate new ideas, contacts and new ways of applying technology and doing business.

KEYNOTES:

Monday, April 4, 2005: 8-8:30 a.m. - Professional Development Conference (PDC)

"The Fundamentals of Leadership: A Personal Journey," presented by Colonel John A. Daniels, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 8-9 a.m.

Opening Keynote: Barry Sedlik, Undersecretary & Senior Advisor for Economic Development, State of California - Sacramento.

  CONFERENCE:
  "New Technology and Innovative Applications"

The WESTEC 2005 Conference offers information on how to streamline processes, gain a competitive edge, connect with experts, learn new technology implementations and hear about emerging technologies on the horizon. Technical pavilions include:

  --  Aerospace and Defense Technology Pavilion
  --  Job Shop and Outsourcing Pavilion
  --  Software Pavilion

  The WESTEC Monster Garage:

Kentia Hall will feature eight incredible vehicles from the Discovery Channel hit, Monster Garage, built by Monster Garage hero Jesse James and his crew.

Technology Theater:

WESTEC exhibitors will deliver (FREE) 30-minute presentations on advanced applications and technologies daily at: 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:25 p.m.

New Product Showcase:

Manufacturing technologies and applications displayed all in one location include: tooling, work-holding, small parts, machinery, equipment and large accessories.

EXPOtential Connection Lounge:

EXPOtential is a Web-based tool enabling manufacturers to develop peer connections, establish buyer-seller relationships, explore partnerships, and plan meetings prior to WESTEC. For more information, log onto http://www.sme.org/exposales .

  19th Annual WESTEC Manufacturing Challenge
  Monday, April 4, 2005 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  Award Ceremony, Monday, April 4, 2005 - 6-7 p.m.
  Final Registration: Tuesday, February 1, 2005

  WESTEC 2004 Educator Summit
  Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 3-7 p.m.

  Student Summit & VIP Student Tour
  Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 8 a.m. - Noon - Los Angeles Convention Center

SME, Century Club, the Small Manufacturers Institute (SMI), and the Coalition for Manufacturing Careers (CMC), host 600 local high school students for a manufacturing-career based tour.

  Event Hours:
  Monday, April 4      10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  Tuesday, April 5     10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  Wednesday, April 6   10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  Thursday, April 7    10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  Kential Hall Exhibits will open and close an hour earlier.

  Additional Information:

For more information about WESTEC 2005 Conference and Exposition, visit the WESTEC Web site at http://www.sme.org/westec , or call the SME Resource Center at 800-733-4763, or (outside the U.S. and Canada) at 313-425-4500, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, EST, or FAX to 313-425-3401.

WESTEC 2005 is co-sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, http://www.sme.org/ , the Association for Manufacturing Technology http://www.amtonline.org/ , and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association, http://www.amtda.org/ .