Now in its ninth year, this year’s Advanced Engineering Show at the NEC in Birmingham between 1-2 November promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The show is the UK’s largest annual gathering of advanced engineering professionals. It connects the entire UK’s advanced engineering supply chain with R&D, design, test, production and procurement from large and small companies, through to top tier industry players in a two-day free-to-attend exhibition and high level conference.
Year-on-year the show delivers record-breaking visitor numbers. Last year saw over 700 supply chain partners and more than 13,000 engineers, procurement managers and senior decision makers from OEMs and higher tier companies all looking to source, specify and invest in the most up-to-date products and explore the latest industry innovations.
“We’re very excited about this year’s show,” says Willis (pictured below). “It’s coming together really well and promises to be the best yet! 446 exhibitors have already signed up. Of those, 22% are new exhibitors and approximately over 50% are from aerospace. Currently, there’s some floor space left for new exhibitors, but that is reducing by the day.”
So, what’s new about this year’s show? Advanced Engineering 2017 includes five co-located zones under one roof: Aero Engineering, Composites Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Performance Metals Engineering - and new for 2017, Connected Manufacturing which focuses on Industry 4.0.
Things with wings
Addressing structures, propulsion and systems, the Aero Engineering show zone combines global OEMs and top tier manufacturers to source from all levels of the supply chain. Supported by ADS, NATEP and regional associations, it brings together the latest advances in engineering, covering innovations, new developments and vital information driving efficiency and profitability to enable UK manufacturers to compete and grow in an ever-competitive global market.
“As many previous visitors and exhibitors will know, the Advanced Engineering Show is the UK’s only event 100% dedicated to aero R&D, design, test, inspection, production and assembly. It presents the ultimate opportunity for the aerospace industry to gather and work together on further improving processes, innovation and supply chain competitiveness.”
A new aspect of the show, which is sure to excite any budding entrepreneur or commercial investor, is the expansion of the Enabling Innovation hub which is hosted by Magna International.
“We’re really proud of the expanded Enabling Innovation hub. It’s a dedicated area for up to 50 carefully selected SMEs and micro businesses across all industries who’ve never exhibited at the show before. We’re looking for businesses that are at the early prototyping stage of product development and are looking for funding. We’re after submissions from all engineering sectors including automotive, aerospace, rail, marine and industrial.”
Other relatively new aspects of the show are the laser and surface engineering hubs which bring together manufacturers within the fields of lasers and surface engineering, along with their respective trade organisations - the Association of Laser Users (AILU) and the Surface Engineering Association (SEA).
What about the show’s speakers? It’s well known that the Advanced Engineering Show has the largest open engineering conference programme in the UK. Last year 200 speakers were featured across six theatres, covering the entire spectrum of engineering.
“In March, we issued a call for case study-based papers on cutting edge innovations and technology and some great ideas have already been put forward. As you’d expect, the 10-minute presentation slots are highly sought after and we carefully select the speakers on the basis of their unbiased content and value to visitors. There is a real buzz about this year’s conference and we’re due to begin the selection process in a few weeks’ time.”
And if it’s spectacle you’re after, this year’s show also contains several feature exhibit areas which will display eye-catchingly large pieces of equipment/products demonstrating engineering in action.
Flying through the doors
So, what is it about the Advanced Engineering Show that gets both visitors and exhibitors flocking through its doors every year?
So, cutting to the chase, what’s the biggest challenge of putting on the show?
“I was initially attracted to this role as what could be more exciting than organising the UK’s largest and most prestigious engineering show? That said, the biggest challenge we face is the sheer amount of organisation that are involved. To get the show off the ground, we’re liaising with thousands of people – visitors, exhibitors, designers, caterers, printers and so forth. Luckily, I have an amazing team behind me who are experienced in pulling off the seemingly impossible and they’ve surpassed my expectations!”
So, what is Willis’ vision for the show’s future? “Quite simply, to surpass our exhibitors and visitors’ expectations and continue to be the UK’s biggest and best show for the latest business, technology, and innovation opportunities in advanced engineering,” she concludes.
With five months to go till the show opens, it looks highly likely Alison and her team will exceed expectations not only this year, but well into the future.
