February 16, 2012 Dear FABTECH Exhibitor, It is no secret that our manufacturing workforce is getting older and reaching retirement. The Conference Board of Canada predicts that “48% of the Canadian workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next 5-10 years” and “Ontario will need 360,000 workers, by 2025, to achieve strong growth”. Providing support and encouragement to our students to pursue a career in manufacturing is essential to keeping our manufacturing base strong. This ultimately will lead to future opportunities and sales for your company as well as future prosperity for Canada. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Toronto Chapter 26 invites your support and participation to showcase our Canadian college and university students a world class trade show by world class exhibitors, and view working demonstrations of the latest industry fabrication technologies. Our college students and their instructors will come from colleges and universities that train skilled tradespersons, technicians, technologists, and engineers, your future skilled workforce. The FABTECH Canada student tours will take place March 22, 2012 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm After students meet and receive their conduct and safety instructions, students and their instructors will be toured through the exhibits by SME Chapter 26 volunteers in groups of 10-15 people. We suggest, exhibitors dedicate one machine, process, demonstration or display with a dedicated person to present your company’s product or service. We also suggest exhibitors talk up the types of careers and opportunities that are available in your industry. (It is our intent to keep students engaged appropriately at each exhibitor’s booth with minimum interference with your customer interaction.) nd
Please indicate your interest by responding to this request by Friday, March 2 . Please provide the following information: Company Name and your Exhibitor Manager’s name along with his/hers e-mail, cell phone number and mail drop. Of course your questions are welcome. Please send your acceptance to participate to: Christopher Raso craso@sme.org or 888-322-7333 ext. 4435. Thank you for your participation and support.