QUEENSLAND-based manufacturing businesses will have an opportunity to see the latest developments in manufacturing technology - and at the same time improve their business practices by attending the 2006 Queensland Manufacturing Technology Exhibition (QMan), at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, October 17-19.
QMan 2006 will combine more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest manufacturing equipment, technology and services, with targeted seminar programs aimed at helping Queensland manufacturers improve their processes and procedures.
The exhibition is owned and organised by Reed Exhibitions , which also runs the highly successful National Manufacturing Week exhibition, held annually and alternating between Sydney and Melbourne.
Key exhibitors who have taken space at QMan 2006 include Fronius, KK&S Instruments, Dialog Information Technology, Clean Surface Australia, Robotic Automation, Advanced Robotic Technology, SEW Eurodrive, Welding Industries of Australia, Nitto Kohki, Multicam Systems, Champion Compressors, Davidson Measurement, Linde Materials Handling, Burkert Fluid Control Systems, and Macnaught.
In order to deliver a complete package of the latest technology, combined with educational elements, Reed Exhibitions has joined forces with QMI Solutions (previously known as the Queensland Manufacturing Institute) coming on board as a Gold Partner to develop and present seminars through the QMI Solutions Centre. These seminars will be held throughout QMan.
Also partnering with QMan is Commerce Queensland, with the organisation encouraging Queensland-based manufacturing equipment supplier members to exhibit at the show, and actively promoting the event to its members, and the Queensland division of Institute of Instrumentation, Control & Automation Australia (IICA).
IICA will co-host the QICS (Queensland's Instrumentation & Control Show) as a pavilion within QMan to present the latest in instrumentation and control technology for manufacturers. QICS will also include a two-day symposium program.
The seminars and symposium program are outlined in more detail in an accompanying article.
"Our partnering of QMan 2006 with these key Queensland organisations means it is set to be a very strong and successful event for suppliers of manufacturing equipment, systems and services to the Queensland manufacturing sector," said John Gorton, director, industrial with Reed Exhibitions.
"QMI Solutions will be presenting a highly innovative series of seminars, which includes the application of the ground-breaking Incremental Forming technology for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.
"This is true 'must-see' technology for any manufacturer in Australia - not just those based in Queensland," Gorton said.
Steve Bryant, marketing manager with QMI Solutions, said QMan was an opportunity deliver a broad package of technology and information to manufacturers.
"We take a very broad view of what technology means for a show such as QMan, and we believe that the introduction and implementation of 'soft technology' - such as new processes, procedures and ways of managing a manufacturing business - are as important as 'hard technology'," he said.
"That's why the training and educational elements of QMan are so important, and why QMI Solutions wanted to be involved in the first place," he said. "Anything that supports manufacturing in Queensland, we want to be a part of."
According to Gorton, the Reed package at its exhibitions such as QMan is just part of what the company refers to as "the Reed Promise".
"Very few other exhibition organisers deliver the package of professionalism, transparency and exhibitor services that we offer for all our events," he said.
These include:
* Pre-exhibition marketing, with all Reed events incorporated a comprehensive program of pre-exhibition marketing to as wide an audience as possible - but tightly targeted at key visitor sectors. These included widespread advertising in key industry publications, a professional PR and marketing team, and wide-ranging email and direct marketing campaigns in the lead up to a show.
* Maintaining comprehensive databases of potential visitors, building on previous exhibition visitor registrations and combining these with other list sources. This includes pre-registration, Match Maker and Meet-the-Buyer programs to bring potential buyers and exhibitors together as effectively as possible.
* World-standard visitor registration, with all visitors electronically registered, including details on job function, industry and product interests - enabling segmented post-show marketing to targeted audience profiles.
* A fully transparent post-show reporting process, which includes the use of an independent research company to conduct both exhibitor and visitor surveys, and production of a comprehensive Post-Show Report (PSR) containing electronic registration data, visitor and exhibitor survey results.
* Industry involvement, through building strong relationships with key industry and regional organisations, working closely with them before, during and after an exhibition to ensure that it best meets the needs of the industry sectors it covers.
* A comprehensive range of services to exhibitors, from the initial signing of the contract, during the months leading up to an exhibition, in the immediate pre-show preparation stages, during the show itself, to the weeks following an exhibition.
"This package allows us to deliver the best-possible show experience to our exhibitors and visitors, maximising the opportunities for all parties to do business together in a hands-on environment," Gorton said.
"We are looking forward to providing exhibitors and visitors to QMan in October with an outstanding and successful show, and one which we can further develop in years to come."