Ceramics Expo 2016, That's A Wrap! (4/29/2016)

Ceramics Expo has proved that working with and for the industry creates the strong bonds that get everyone tied into the success loop. The expo has just delivered a top quality event, acclaimed by all as a massive step up and the platform for something very special. A great three days…much, much more to come!

28 April, Cleveland, OH – Doubling the floor space and putting in every effort to improve the experience has been rewarded with a massive vote of confidence from North America’s ceramic industry. Listening to the exhibitors – over 280 of them – time and again quality is the key word. “The show has a very diverse group of attendees and good foot traffic,” confirmed Robert Teppert, Hitachi HTA’s National Sales Manager.

Ceramics Expo has delivered the right people and in only its second year pushed well beyond the 3,000 registration mark. From the smallest niche producer right up to the world’s largest aerospace companies, executives made the trip to Ceramic City and declared themselves impressed by the breadth and depth of the whole showcase. Founding partner ACerS said “This year’s event has once again exceeded expectations by most metrics. Attendance has grown significantly over 2015 figures with a high percentage of those as first time visitors to the show. The conference program also drew praise for both a breath and quality of the presentations. Finally I would like to thank both Geo-Corp and CoorsTek for their sponsorship of the hospitality events, which always helps to enhance the show experience.” Charlie Spahr, Executive Director, ACerS.  

The SolidCAM booth saw the very first demonstration of the new Tratech AGS CNC machine, milling one of the hardest known ceramics using the leading edge iMachining software and suite of advanced Cera_X cutting tools for ceramics from G.W. Schulz Tool. “It’s actually been a great show – we’ve had an awesome amount of interest in here. We’ve had a lot of people interested in the machine, software, tooling,” states Ken Merritt, SolidCAM’s Ceramics Manager. The system provides 'first cut' success with dramatically increased efficiencies that result in huge reductions in cycle time, greatly improved G-ratios for longer tool life, and significant reductions in machine maintenance and downtime.

Working closely with the industry at all levels, right through the year, has really paid dividends and created the true partnership effect.  “We are so very pleased and encouraged by our second year exhibiting,” said Melissa Fauth, U.S. Sales Director, Fritsch Milling and Sizing. “We’re looking forward to expanding our involvement and presence for the third year – growing together with Ceramics Expo.”

North American engineering and manufacturing, especially in some of the critical user industries, is certainly back on the up and Cleveland and the surrounding area is home to much of the ground-breaking work that underpins all the advancement we’re seeing. Local support was just as evident as international acclaim. “We’ve enjoyed being front and center of this leading expo, especially as a Cleveland based company,” said Craig A. Macklin, CEO at Cleveland Vibrator Company. “Plenty of visitors have stopped by our booth and we’ve had quality conversations. We’re definitely back next year – we’ve rebooked already.”

The importance of all the fascinating materials, equipment, technical components, and ancillary systems to the success of North American industry couldn’t be underestimated. As Ed Rybka, City of Cleveland’s Chief of Development, pointed out when he took to the rostrum to open the expo: “Often talked about as stone-age materials with space age qualities…ceramics are an industry cluster with a long and rich history.” He went on to talk about the importance of this event to the city, the warm welcome it would receive and the fact that a reputation quickly established meant international as well as national interest.

This was borne out by the tremendous variety of exhibits showcased by companies from all around the world, a ringing endorsement for the Ceramics Expo brand. There were more visitors from outside the U.S. than in last year’s inaugural event and it’s clear some will join the 50 or so overseas exhibitors by signing on for 2017. “We have been very impressed by the whole event, from the stand organization, the meetings and seminars and more importantly the standard and volume of new and old customers we have managed to spend time with,” said Rodrigo González, Vice President, Ceramics Business Unit at Nutec Bickley, the major Mexican kiln manufacturer.

Conference @ Ceramics Expo turned out to be a great success, exceeding all expectations. Organiser Smarter Shows worked hard to assemble a speaker roster full of experience and dynamism and, above all, with something interesting to say and the willingness to interact with the audience. “Speaking at the conference was really great,” said Josh Pelletier, Technical Manager – Refractory, Kerneos. “I got to meet several great panellists along with the people that were actually in the audience. I really enjoyed cross networking with a lot of not only industry specialists but also prospective new customers.”

The decision to hold a twin-track presentation, located adjacent to the exhibit showcase, was fully vindicated. Delegates could easily and conveniently choose exactly the sessions they really wanted to attend and exiting the forum simply put them straight back into the bustle of the expo. “It’s been excellent! One of the best shows I’ve been to in a long time.” Said Timothy Hillkirk, Timothy J. Hillkirk Consulting, LLC., Marketing Director.  

Reaction to the conference could not have been better, whether that was talking to delegates or speakers afterwards. Several of the sessions were not just well-attended – every seat was taken and avid listeners were stood four rows deep at the back. “The lectures were really interesting; we’re actually going to talk to some of the presenters and maybe there’s an opportunity for working with them later,” said Kayleigh Porter, Stereolithography Technician, Ceramic Micro Device Group, Technology Assessment and Transfer, Inc. “The show has been really good for networking and getting new information”.

All in all, enthusiasm surrounding Ceramics Expo spread quickly and the three-day format has wide support too. “An excellent exhibition,” said Phil Green, Sales Director at IPS Ceramics. “There was great interest in our products and we have rebooked for next year.”

The high quality levels of presentation, innovation and conversation have put this expo firmly on the map and, as a result, demand for exhibit space has been instantly ramped up. “Rebooking at the show has been phenomenal,” said Show Director Adam Moore. “It’s rare you get this level of firm commitment before the shutter comes down. It’s clear we’ll be back with a roar in 2017.”

Stay tuned for information on next year's event here.

Source: Chloe Griffin, Marketing Manager at CEX