Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2024 record attendance
Summary
Across eight free-to-attend solutions theatres, the event offered a dynamic mix of more than 150 insightful presentations on subjects such as digital transformation, IIOT and connectivity and industrial data, as well as practical workshops by the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, and cutting-edge technology in the Made Smarter Innovation Showcase and the Start Up Zone. The event included a dizzying number of activities, from JJA Snack’s working chocolate factory to Fanuc hosting the world skills qualifiers for industrial robotics, some of which began prior to the exhibitions opening their doors and some that took place after they closed. “I was really surprised” said Jon Morris, Marketing Manager from ifm “I heard The Shadow Monkeys band start the after-show party at 4.30pm and looked at our stand and the others close by, and they were all still busy, which is unusual as experienced exhibitors will attest. For those seeking deeper, specialist debates, the Industrial Data & AI Summit and the Automation & Robotics Accelerator Symposium provided forums for collaboration and discussion on niche topics within manufacturing. With its festival vibe, well-being zone and eclectic mix of attractions and distractions, Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week has certainly created its own niche but essentially its role is to connect buyers with sellers and in this regard, it has been a huge success.