In just four years, CAMX-The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo has become the premier composites conference in North America and an indispensable component of our industry. Every year, businesses rely on CAMX to provide the best opportunities learn, network, generate business and get caught up on the newest composite products and applications.
“The industry really needed a premier event,” said Marcy Offner, Director of Marketing Communications at Composites One. “It really has become that for us and we are always happy to be here as an exhibitor.”
The motto of the event is “Combined Strength. Unsurpassed Innovation.” In 2017, that motto was put to the test as Hurricane Irma left ACMA and CAMX co-producer SAMPE with a tall order. They had to ensure that a postponed show delivered the same level of quality that the industry has come to expect year after year.
Thanks to the tireless work of CAMX staff and an overwhelming level of support from the industry, the result was an incredible event that still attracted more than 6,500 people from all over the world and 85 percent of the originally scheduled exhibitors. The number of original exhibitors who were able to reschedule their plans to have a presence during the new dates demonstrates just how important this event is to the composites and advanced materials industry.
“We were thrilled to have a very productive CAMX. Even with the rescheduled dates, the attendees were ready to do business, the papers were well attended and my team was busy with customer meetings. The exhibit hall was full of activity and excellent displays, reflecting the diverse range of composites and the markets this industry serves,” said Andy Beer, vice president, Composites North America at Ashland, LLC.
Every year, CAMX adds a new wrinkle to the event experience that separates it from other trade shows. Last year, the event introduced a new General Session format called CAMX Live! – a series of Ted TalksTM-style presentations from industry innovators that gave a multifaceted view of how composites are changing the world.
This year, CAMX added a new component to the exhibit hall, Innovation Park – a specialized area hat created opportunities for attendees to make new connections, exchange ideas and learn new things. The park was comprised of specialized “zones” – tailored to the learning, networking and inspirational needs of CAMX attendees. Attendees used these unique areas to discuss hot topics, build community around specific interests and collaborate to create new innovations and solutions.
“We added Innovation Park so CAMX attendees can redefine how they experience a trade show,” said Tom Dobbins, ACMA president. “At the traditional trade show or conference, it can be difficult to find time to interact, learn and think organically, so our goal is to provide the atmosphere and tools to do this.”
CAMX 2018 will be held October 15-18, 2018, in Dallas, TX. For the first time, CAMX will be co-located with Industrial Fabrics Association International’s annual event. Stay tuned for more details at thecamx.org.