National Manufacturing Week

I went in to Jeff’s Shed in Melbourne for National Manufacturing Week (NMW) on the Wednesday (May 25^th) during the day.  I have been to all of these since 1995 both as a visitor, an exhibitor (with Motion Industries – now CBC Motion) and also representing Binzel when my race team was sponsored by them and we had our car on display.  With all the excitement that builds up before the event, I walked away thinking I could describe my feelings in one word – “Meh...”

There was a lot of hype about the event for 2011, with all of the usual superlatives out in force. Numbers were up across the board, everyone was happy, etc.

Walking around the place, there wasn’t really a marked increase in foot traffic over previous years.  The usual big clans of university students swarmed around any stand with free stuff or girls in miniskirts and one only wonders what exhibitors did before plasmas and LCD TVs were on the scene.

This year NMW also became rather political, with visits to the Endeavour Awards from Tony Abbott and the event itself being frequented by state and federal ministers.  On the tip of everyone’s tongue – carbon tax.  That’s when the eyes glaze over.

On the geared motor front, SEW had the biggest stand, with Nord just around the corner with a smaller display.  Sumitomo had a minor stand out of the way.  SEW had partnered with a computer vehicle dynamics simulation mob who had hooked up a GP driving simulator to a whole heap of servo motors and was giving punters a go.  The SEW stand was probably best in show due to its interactivity.  Most exhibitors would do well to follow their lead (obviously, budget permitting).

With the investment demanded by these big trade shows, companies really need to convert enquiries into sales to make it all worthwhile.  Simply having a ‘presence’ isn’t enough to justify the spend.  I probably saw more customers (and suppliers) by walking around seeing everyone on the floor – and all it cost was the $10.00 car park at Crown!