14 Top Industrial & Manufacturing Conferences in 2023
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Whether you’re looking to grow your subject matter expertise so you can help your company stay ahead of the industrial curve or network with other industry professionals so you can grow your thought leadership and potentially find your dream job, attending a conference is one of the most invigorating ways to boost passion for your career.
Read on to uncover the myriad benefits of attending industry conferences that go beyond attending programs as well as tips for how to best prepare for attending one so you can set yourself up for success. At the end, there is a curated list of upcoming conferences to attend in-person and virtually for manufacturers, supply chain logistics professionals, drone experts, robotics innovators, and more.
What Is an Industrial Conference?
An industrial conference is a formally organized event dedicated to the industrial sector. It is a unique opportunity that allows industry professionals and those with a common interest to come together for a focused meeting of the minds.
Some conferences are broader in industry and topic scope than others. There are industrial conferences devoted specifically to manufacturing, construction, technology, transportation, aerospace and aviation, security and defense, healthcare and medical, and more. As well, some conferences have been established to provide greater equity and support less represented segments of the population such as women, minorities, and those who are differently abled.
A conference can include panel discussions, Q&A interviews, thought-leadership presentations from industry leaders, product launches centered around the latest technologies, services demonstrations, in-depth workshops, and networking opportunities.
Large conferences often have an exhibitor hall where companies set up booths. Companies set up tables, where they can grow their brand awareness. They may offer “swag” — stuff we all get — such as branded notebooks, pens, tote bags, stickers, candy, catalogues, and books. Where space allows, these exhibitor booths may include live demos, and there may be tables set up for one-on-one prescheduled meetings.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many conferences took the opportunity to move to a virtual format. Today, many conferences are hybrid, offering both an in-person event as well as a digital element that allows attendees who may not be able to travel to also attend. Hybrid and virtual conferences have opened up a world of opportunity for working parents, individuals for whom mobility may be an issue, and companies with limited travel budgets.
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Benefits of Attending an Industrial Conference
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While there is certainly significant planning and expense that goes into conferences, the benefits are well worth the effort. After all, industrial conferences have value for companies and individuals alike.
How Companies Benefit from Conferences
Industrial companies benefit from hosting, sponsoring, participating in, and attending conferences. Depending on a company’s budget and schedule, it may select how involved it wants to be with a conference.
Businesses can actively participate in a conference in a number of ways, including presentations, product demonstrations, exhibitor booths, and hosting happy hours. These opportunities can raise their public profile and help establish them as reputable companies.
On the flip side, even if companies take a more limited approach to conference involvement, they may still find attendance worthwhile. Business leaders may find it advantageous to listen in on what trends their competitors are forecasting, what products they’re unveiling, and who at other companies has high visibility.
How Individuals Benefit from Conferences
Oftentimes, individuals attend conferences at the behest of the company for which they work. While attending a conference is indeed work, it is also a reward that can encourage professionals in their passions, level up their standing at the company, and raise their profile across the industry.
In these instances, they may be there to attend talks that increase their subject matter expertise, uncover trends that can help their company stay ahead of the industrial curve, and represent their company when meeting key people in the exhibitors' hall.
Many individuals who attend conferences for their company take their mission seriously, setting up meetings with current and potential clients, but do not take full advantage of the opportunity to raise their own profile at their company and beyond. When one returns from the conference, they can host a company lunch-and-learn on the top things they learned at the conference, write a blog for the company’s internal communications that shares their experience attending the event, and provide an action plan to leadership on how the company can best address trends uncovered at the conference.
On a more individualistic level, one may attend a conference hoping to gain insight and contacts that can help them personally in their career. A couple of ways that one may accomplish these tandem goals are by signing up to be a guest speaker, taking advantage of free educational and training opportunities, attending breakout sessions and networking events, and live tweeting talks and demonstrations on social media to knowledge share and establish themselves as someone who is at the cutting-edge of industry.
Get more insights on how to get the most out of a conference.
How to Prepare for an Industrial Conference
Depending on the level at which one has committed to participating in the conference, there is, of course, different preparation needs. For instance:
- a sponsor may need to secure and deliver funds as well as promotional logos and language used for the conference’s marketing efforts.
- a panel discussion leader may need to research the guest panelists, their research, and the companies they work for.
- a guest speaker may need to prepare a Google Slides presentation and rehearse their talk.
- an exhibitor may need to secure signage and swag and select company representatives that can greet people at the booth.
But what if you’re simply attending?
Industrial conference attendees and presenters alike will have a more relaxed and successful experience if they prepare early At a very basic level, in addition to purchasing conference tickets, if the conference is out of town, flights, transportation, and lodging should be secured well in advance, as the best, closest, and least expensive options will get snapped up fast.
When it comes to what to wear at a conference, it may depend on one’s level of visibility and on the specific conference itself. A good rule of thumb, if you’re not presenting, is to wear business casual that you feel comfortable and confident in. These types of events often take place in large venues, so comfortable yet professional shoes are essential.
On a more professional note, attendees may want to bring the following items:
- Notetaking device — this may be a notebook and pen, a laptop, or a tablet.
- Business cards — if you don’t have business cards from your company, consider printing your own; today, QR codes featured on business cards can make it easy to instantly connect on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
- Briefcase or tote bag — keep your hands free from electronic devices and swag when networking.
- Resuable water bottle — between long lines, little spare time between talks, and exorbitant prices, you’ll be thankful if you remember to bring your own water (and maybe some snacks too!).
Make a Conference Agenda
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Just as important as reserving your conference ticket, securing lodging, picking up your conference badge, and wearing clothes that are comfortable yet professional is reviewing the full scope of the conference and planning out your schedule in advance.
At large conferences, there are typically numerous talks, presentations, and breakouts happening concurrently. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to get distracted by swag and flashy live demos. It’s best to read through the options ahead of time and preplan which sessions to attend, while adding in leeway time for browsing the exhibitors’ hall, catching up with colleagues and networking with industry insiders, and eating lunch.
Part of planning your agenda should include thinking through the following:
- How can you help advance your company’s objectives through your participation in the conference?
- What deliverables from the conference (i.e., writing up a competitor analysis) would boost your profile within your company?
- Which industry experts in particular do you want to meet at the conference, how can you secure time with them, what questions do you want to ask them, and what solutions can you offer them?
- What networking opportunities are offered not just through the conference itself but through events, such as happy hours hosted off-premises by exhibitors, and which of these are the most beneficial for you to attend?
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List of Industrial Conferences
The industry events below are listed in chronological order. Refer to each conference’s website for the most up-to-date information, as registration may sell out and details may be subject to change.
1. AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference
Hosted by the American Astronautical Society (AAS) and cohosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), this conference serves specialists shaping the future of the aerospace industry.
When: August 13-17, 2023
Where: Big Sky, Montana
Registration and further information: https://space-flight.org/docs/2023_summer/2023_summer.html
2. Commercial UAV Expo
Billed as “the leading international trade show and conference focusing on the integration and operation of commercial UAS,” Commercial UAV Expo brings together unnamed aerial vehicle (UAV) innovators, users, and regulators. There will be live outdoor flying demonstrations, workshops for Lidar mapping and photogrammetic mapping, a session on leveraging drones in construction, a talk on data security and counter drone, and more expert discussions. With 250 exhibitors and 4,000 attendees expected, there will be plenty of opportunities for networking.
When: September 5-7, 2023
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Registration and further information: https://www.expouav.com/
3. NAED Conferences
The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) offers a variety of conferences, as well as meetups, including a women in industry forum (which sold out), regional conferences, and a national meeting. Events may include guest speakers, opportunities to network, Dale Carnegie courses, and fun activities like tours.
- IDEA eBiz: September 18-20, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee
- Missouri River Conference: September 24-26, 2023, in Camdenton, Missouri
- LEAD Conference: October 3-5, 2023, in Denver, Colorado
- Eastern Region Conference: November 6-9, 2023, Marco Island, Florida
Registration and further information: https://www.naed.org/events
4. IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS)
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The international robotics research community comes together for the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems to discuss smart machine design and approaches that aim to accelerate research.
When: October 1-5, 2023
Where: Detroit, Michigan
Registration and further information: https://ieee-iros.org/
5. CSCMP Edge
Touted as “Supply Chain’s Premier Event™,” this conference includes more than 100 sessions covering the full spectrum of the supply chain. A survey revealed that 90% of attendees received practical ideas they can take action on. There is also an exhibition filled with demonstrations, cutting-edge technologies, and one-on-one access to supply chain experts.
When: October 1-4, 2023
Where: Kissimmee, Florida
Registration and further information: https://www.cscmpedge.org/website/48864/
6. ASCEND
ASCEND stands for: Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discover. This event assembles government leaders, major companies, thought leaders with a penchant for innovation, and educators to forecast trends, solve problems, and “pressure test ideas.”
When: October 23-25, 2023
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Registration and further information: https://www.ascend.events/
List of Industrial Conferences Geared Toward Women
1. Women Impact Tech
Broken out into several regional events, Women Impact Tech’s conferences provide a space where women who are pioneering ideas and driving change in the tech industry can gather to learn new skills, gain insight from experts in the industry, and uncover the latest industry trends through workshops, keynote addresses, and panel discussions. Attendees will also be able to engage with “progressive companies who are committed to diversity and inclusion.”
When: July 11, 2023
Where: Denver, Colorado
Registration and further information: https://events.bizzabo.com/womenimpacttechdenver2023
When: October 3, 2023
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Registration and further information: https://events.bizzabo.com/womenimpacttechatlanta2023
When: August 21-22, 2023
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
Registration and further information: https://events.bizzabo.com/womenimpacttechboston2023
When: September 13, 2023
Where: Atlant, Georgia
Registration and further information: https://events.bizzabo.com/womenimpacttechatlanta2023
When: November 3, 2023
Where: New York, New York
Registration and further information: https://events.bizzabo.com/womenimpacttechnewyork2023
2. The National Association of Women in Construction Conference
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The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC’s) 68th annual conference offers three education tracks: leadership, technology, and culture and community. Attendees come together to learn about cutting-edge technology and trends and to meet like-minded professionals from around the United States.
When: August 9-12, 2023
Where: Portland, Oregon
Registration and further information: https://www.nawic.org/annual_conference
3. WiDS Conference
A Stanford University initiative, Women in Data Science (WiDS) is hosting WiDS Worldwide, an online conference featuring technical talks, keynotes, and panel discussions. The organization seeks to elevate women in data science through support, community, and education.
When: September 14, 2023
Where: Virtual
Registration and further information: https://www.widsconference.org/conference.html
4. WiM Summit
Hosted by the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), WiM Summit brings together upwards of 1,000 professionals in the manufacturing industry for inspiring keynote talks, roundtable discussions, plant tours, breakout sessions, and networking events.
When: September 25-27, 2023
Where: San Diego, California, and Virtual
Registration and further information: https://web.cvent.com/event/13bae266-3eda-429a-b4d1-b3f0867248c8/summary
5. Empowering Women 2023
Empowering Women in Industry is hosting a one-day conference that will include such talks as “Rising Together: The Importance of Female Mentorship and Support in Skilled Trades” and “Transforming Leadership in Construction: Meeting the Demands of a Changing Industry” along with interactive workshops in its efforts to help women in industry overcome limiting beliefs, increase their executive presence, and build financial wellness.
When: October 5, 2023
Where: Chicago, Illinois, and Virtual
Registration and further information: https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/events
6. International Latina Engineer Week (ILEW) Conference
The largest event for Latinas in engineering, the ILEW Conference, hosted by Latina Engineer, is an immersive experience that offers a mentoring program and live sessions to help students and professionals rise above the obstacles minorities sometimes face in STEM. Scholarships are offered.
When: October 9-14, 2023
Where: Chicago, Illinois, and Virtual
Registration and further information: https://ilew.online/
7. Women of Color STEM Conference
Running for more than 20 years, and cohosted by Raytheon Technologies, the Women of Color STEM Conference works to help women boost their education and careers in STEM fields. There will be networking opportunities and a prestigious awards ceremony.
When: October 12-14, 2023
Where: Detroit, Michigan
Registration and further information: https://intouch.ccgmag.com/mpage/woc-stem-conference-home
8. Accelerate! Conference & Expo
Image courtesy of Troyan / Shutterstock.com
Women in Trucking’s conference is on a critical mission. It provides more than 60 sessions from transportation experts with six educational tracks, including professional driver, operations, leadership, sales & marketing, HR/talent management, and professional development. Exhibitors and sponsors help attendees find solutions and build their businesses.
When: November 5-8, 2023
Where: Dallas, Texas
Registration and further information:
https://www.womenintrucking.org/accelerate-conference
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