OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boasting a nearly 50 percent increase in attendance, the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) held the second edition of its SMI Metal Engineering eXpo™ at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut from Oct. 3-5, 2017. The premier event for the North American engineered spring and precision metal components industries was produced with the cooperation and support of the New England Spring and Metalstamping Association (NESMA).
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc9d531b-292a-4038-8a22-36f010a6bb24
“Once again, SMI held an outstanding event for the spring industry with a world class exhibit floor, and our two-day symposia education sessions continued to surpass industry expectations,” said Mike Betts, SMI president. “By working with NESMA, our regional partner, the team effort put forth by both associations demonstrated that together our industry becomes stronger.”
NESMA president Michael Brault agreed that the overall show was a great success, and provides a compelling example of what can be achieved when associations cooperate with each other.
“SMI and NESMA worked closely together to produce a show that benefited members of both organizations and promoted the interests of our industry,” said Brault. “The model we created should be adopted and improved upon in future shows.”
Brault said one of the highlights of the show was the opportunity for NESMA to host local legislators and educators on the show floor to help support the associations workforce development efforts in Connecticut.
A sold-out three-hour cruise on the Connecticut River was held Wednesday, Oct. 4, aboard the “Mystique.” The networking event featured 300 attendees, and was sponsored by NESMA in partnership with SMI. “We had lots of positive feedback saying it was a great event,” said Brault. “I would like to thank the NESMA member springmakers and stampers who stepped forward to sponsor the cruise.”
The 2017 SMI Metal Engineering eXpo spanned three days and featured a technical symposium for individuals and companies to share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics surrounding the design, engineering and production of springs, wire forms and stampings. The trade show portion of the event includes vendors displaying a vast array of machinery to produce these items, along with wire suppliers and exhibitors representing all facets of manufacturing.
Based in the Chicago area, the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) started in 1933 and embraces its mission statement of “serving, supporting and educating North American precision spring manufacturers in their pursuit of competitiveness in world markets.”
The mission of the New England Spring and Metalstamping Association (NESMA) is to identify and promote the common interests of spring and metal stamping manufacturers through communication and coordination with NESMA members, internal committees and external organizations. The association provides current information in the areas of industry news, legislation and workforce training; and organizes educational, networking and marketing opportunities for all NESMA members.
For more information about the SMI Metal Engineering eXpo, visit the website for the show at www.metalengineeringexpo.org or contact SMI at 630-495-8588, email: lynne@smihq.org, or visit www.smihq.org.
About Spring Manufacturers Institute
Founded in 1933, the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) is an association of companies that manufacture springs, and their associate suppliers. The members of SMI work together to meet the key issues of the industry worldwide: quality, materials, technology, government regulations. SMI provides many services, including a quarterly magazine, Springs, a variety of technical publications, spring design software, industry data, seminars, meetings, safety and regulatory compliance, and technical assistance. For more information on SMI, visit: www.smihq.org.
For Further Product/Service Information, Contact:
Lynne Carr, Executive Director
630-495-8588 • lynne@smihq.org
For Further PR Information, Contact:
Gary McCoy, Managing Editor, Springs
847-622-7228 • gmccoy@fairwaycommunications.com