FABTECH 2024 Features 500+ Product Debuts, 279 First-Time Exhibitors and $89 Million in Economic Impact for Orlando
FABTECH was held despite 2 major hurricanes hitting the surrounding areas in the weeks leading up to the show. Event partners donated $25,000 to relief efforts. Read how you can help as well.
FABTECH 2024, North America's leading event for metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing, wrapped up its successful run at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from Oct. 15-17. The event attracted 30,000 industry professionals from all 50 states and 70 countries worldwide. With 1,500 exhibitors -- including 279 first-time exhibitors -- showcasing over 500 new product debuts, FABTECH 2024 delivered opportunities for attendees to explore cutting-edge solutions, forge key partnerships and gain valuable insights into the latest trends shaping modern manufacturing.
This year's event marked FABTECH's Orlando debut, strategically chosen due to Florida's rapidly expanding position in the U.S. manufacturing landscape. As the 10th largest manufacturing state, Florida has seen a 67.8% increase in manufacturing output over the past decade and is home to more than 422,800 jobs, making it a key hub for innovation.
"FABTECH 2024 showcased the real momentum behind the industry's evolution, with trends like automation, sustainable manufacturing and advanced materials taking center stage," said Tracy Garcia, CEM, FABTECH group director at SME.
Show Floor: Technology on Display
Spanning an impressive 750,000 square feet, the FABTECH 2024 show floor featured cutting-edge solutions across 39 technology areas, including forming and fabricating, tube and pipe, metal forming, welding, automation, finishing and 3D printing/additive manufacturing. This year's event saw an unprecedented number of live demonstrations, offering attendees the chance to experience the latest technologies firsthand.
From advanced robotics and AI-driven manufacturing processes to next-generation welding techniques, the show floor showcased solutions aimed at streamlining production, enhancing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. A notable trend was the increased focus on digitalization and data-driven manufacturing. Exhibitors demonstrated innovative ways to integrate data analytics into production lines for greater precision and control. Smart manufacturing solutions were also on display, enabling real-time monitoring and optimization of equipment to boost both performance and sustainability.
Education: Empowering Growth Through Expertise
FABTECH 2024's education program provided over 200 targeted, in-depth sessions across specialized areas of the manufacturing sector. Topics included the integration of AI and automation for increased efficiency, strategies for overcoming global supply chain disruptions and the growing demand for sustainable solutions to build long-term resilience. Workforce development remained a key focus, with sessions highlighting how to attract and retain skilled talent.
Supporting Communities Affected by Hurricanes
Even as FABTECH celebrated advancements in the manufacturing industry, the event organizers remained mindful of the challenges faced by Florida communities in the wake of severe weather. While the show proceeded as planned, organizers acknowledged the devastation that Milton and other weather-related events leading up to the show opening caused across Florida and surrounding states. To support those affected communities, a hurricane relief fund was established, and all merchandising profits during the event were donated to the effort.
The partners who host FABTECH have donated $25,000 across four organizations:
- East Tennessee Foundation: Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
- Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Suncoast Disaster Recover Fund
- Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: Emergency and Disaster Response Fund
- Community Foundation of Northern Florida: Disaster Relief Fund
For more information about these efforts and to contribute, please visit givebutter.com/mHs2cY.
Looking Ahead to FABTECH 2025
With FABTECH 2024 concluded, attention now shifts to FABTECH 2025, which will return to Chicago's McCormick Place from Sept. 8-11, 2025.
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