2 0 1 5 e x h i b i t o r p r o s p e c t u s

exhibit

attend

sponsor

shaping the futureof manufacturingbigmevent.com

#bigMevent

OPPORTUNITY.ACCESS.NEw bUSINESS.IT ALL bEGINS AT the biG M.

THE BIG M is the Great Lakes’ premier showcase of advanced technologies, processes, and solutions that are shaping the future of manufacturing.

THE BIG M delivers access to the greatest concentration and diversity of manufacturers at one event. THE BIG M audience has one thing on their mind: innovation. They are looking for unexpected solutions from unlikely sources. THE BIG M is your opportunity to take advantage of the abundance of technology, talent, passion, experience, intelligence and growth of the Great Lakes region to advance your business today and build momentum for the future.

2

in partnership with

®

“The BIG M was a great opportunity to learn from others in the manufacturing industry. It focused on manufacturing technologies, plus a lot of the key technological trends that can change the way we manufacture in the future. We made connections with many other major manufacturing companies and it was very beneficial for us.”

Craig Sutton, Manager Manufacturing Innovation John Deere

M | Conference Manufacturing’s brightest minds and most innovative leaders share how they are moving the needle forward. Attendees are there to learn and build their network – be there to make that connection and be a part of the conversation.

M | Exchange Located at the center of the exhibit floor, the M | Exchange optimizes interaction among attendees, exhibitors, and other manufacturing stakeholders. Presentations, informal collaboration, and discussions on emerging technologies take place here.

M | FactoriesThese dynamic, interactive exhibits showcase key emerging technologies through demonstrations, presentations, and displayed equipment, products and parts. It is an immersive experience for attendees and creates unique opportunities for exhibitors to connect.

M | TechThe show floor is divided into unique zones featuring the top technologies that are shaping the future of manufacturing, including additive manufacturing, advanced materials, robotics, lasers, and automation.

3

“THE bIG M is important for making connections.” – Dave Dorner, President & Founder, DornerWorks, Ltd.

INNOvATION DRIvING bUSINESS New technologies, new materials, and new processes drive advanced manufacturing and deliver new business opportunities. THE BIG M puts you, your business, and your people at the front of the industry, showcasing your innovations for the next generation of manufacturers.

Plus: New programs, more content, and new opportunities to bring the right customers and decision makers to you!

1 UnriVaLed CoMpanies, taLent, and innoVation LiVe here. There are few places in the world that can rival the region’s base of world-class talent in manufacturing, research and development, engineering, design, and technology. The Great Lakes region boasts over 20% of U.S. manufacturing and 50% of Canadian manufacturing.

2 reaCh an aUdienCe with bUYinG power. The caliber of attendees at THE BIG M is unequaled – 78% of attendees influence purchases and nearly 50% are

owners, executives, managers, product designers, or research and development professionals. You will not find a better chance to present your products and services to an audience as advanced as this one.

3 Meet CUstoMers and deVeLop bUsiness. The manufacturers who attend THE BIG M come to find ways to be competitive. They come to learn, grow, connect

– but most of all, they want to build their businesses. And if you have the solution to their challenges, they want to do business with you.

4 Generate saLes Leads and new CUstoMers whiLe proMotinG YoUr brand and CoMpanY.

This is one of the most technologically advanced and industry diverse groups to gather at one event. Attendees are searching for the very latest innovations and have the money to invest – 53% have equipment, technology, or services budgets that exceed $50,000, and 45% are in the automotive, consulting/engineering, or aircraft/aerospace industries. Be the one to provide solutions to them and become front-of-mind for future business.

5 enGaGe with the indUstrY’s best. Every level of manufacturing is here. From CEOs to shop floor supervisors. From owners to machinists. From

designers to engineers. They come from every corner of manufacturing and share a common passion for the industry. Meet top innovative partners at the manufacturing event of the year.

4

TOP 5 REASONS

TO ExHIbIT AT the biG M

YOUR AUDIENCE

5

“THE BIG M convened the minds of the advanced manufacturing sector in one place [to] create our future via innovations in manufacturing technology and processes.” Nigel Francis Senior Vice President, Automotive Industry Office, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Boeing bosch Borg Warner Capital Area Manufacturing Council Chrysler Cideas Comau

Concept Laser Gmbh Consumers Energy Cooper standard Dakkota Integrated Systems

dana Corp. Dart Container DASI Solutions Data Optics deere & Co. Dekalb Molded Plastics

Delcam denso Detroit Economic Growth Corp. Diamond Racing Products Digital Lumens

Diversified Plastics dynomax Eagle Ottawa Eaton Corp. Emerson Industrial Automation Evans Distribution Systems FanUC america Faraday FARO Technologies Festo

Fisher Unitech Fives Ford Ge Gene Dickinson Engineering General Motors Graco

Great Lakes Powder Coating Herman Miller Hexagon Metrology Hitachi honeywell Hewlett Packard Hyundai Ikon Expediting Int’l Incodema InTech Industries

Jergens Johnson Controls Laserline Layerwise Mac Arthur Corp. Magna Michigan Economic Development Corporation Microtek Finishing Mitsui Seiki USA nike

Nikon Metrology ODVA Optomec Owl Computing Technologies Pepper Hamilton

performance Motorsport PFP Cybersecurity plante & Moran

PMA Concepts Praxair Priority Health Proctor & Gamble PROLIM Rave Computer Renishaw rockwell automation

Rush Group Saint-Gobain Sandvik SAP Schuler Seco Tools

shinola Siemens Stryker Swagelok timken Co. TK Holdings Toyota United CNC Machining U.S. Department

of Defense U.S. Department of Energy Verizon Wireless

Volvo Truck whirlpool Yazaki Yokohama

6

wHAT INDUSTRIES DO THEY SERvE?Industries from Automotive to Medical to Consumer Goods are looking to buy and source new products, technologies, and services.

AUTOMOTIVE

INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY

CONSUMER GOODS

CONSULTING/ENGINEERING

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

PLASTIC PRODUCTS

AIRCRAFT/AEROSPACE

MEDICAL/DENTAL

OTHER MANUFACTURING

25%

7%

10%

6%

10%

6%

9%

5%22%

THE BIG M covers a diverse range of advanced manufacturing industries. Attendees from these industries are highly motivated to advance their business and operations. Bring your most awe-inspiring products and services and your sharpest sales team to make the most of this distinctive event.

YOURAUDIENCE

PROFILE

“We met customers from industries we normally wouldn’t market to and identified some very good opportunities.”

Bill Shepard Vice President of Sales & Marketing Die-Matic Corporation

7

wHAT IS THEIR bUYING bEHAvIOR?

wHO ATTENDS the biG M? 25% Owner/Company Management/Corporate Executive

24% Product Design & R&D

16% Sales & Marketing

8% Manufacturing Engineering Management

7% Manufacturing Engineering Department (non-management)

5% Manufacturing Production Management

2% Manufacturing Production Department (non-management)

2% Quality Assurance & Control

2% Control Engineering/Automation

1% Purchasing

8% Other

of THE BIG M audience are

DECISION MAkERS

of attendees were NEw USERSor had limited experience with featured technologies

have equipment, technology, or services budgets that

ExCEED $50,000

78%

50%

53%

wHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE THEY LOOkING FOR?3D Printers/Printing (3DP) 3d imaging/scanningAdvanced Materials Assembly Equipment & Systems Automated

Manufacturing Business and ERP CAD/CAM/CIM Casting Composites

Contract Manufacturing Services Controls Cost Estimating

Cyber security Data Acquisition & Analysis Electronics Energy

Monitoring and Efficiency Engineered Materials engineering services Environmental Quality & Testing Factory Diagnostics

& Analytics Finishing & Coating Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Indentification & Marking Systems

Lasers & Laser Systems Lean Manufacturing Machining & Subtractive Manufacturing Manufacturing Enterprise

Manufacturing Management Manufacturing Services Measurement,

Inspection & Testing Metal Forming & Fabricating

Micro-Manufacturing Moldmaking Motion Control Systems

Non-Destructive Testing & Evaluation Plant Engineering Plastics

Process Design & Engineering Product & Process Design Management Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Quality & Measurement

rapid & additive Manufacturing Research & Development

Reverse Engineering RFID Robotics Sand Mold Casting SCADA Systems

& Software Secondary Processing & Surface Finishing sensors

Simulation Software, Simulation, Process Modeling Specialty Metals &

Materials Supply Chain Management Tooling Vision Systems

waterjet Cutting Welding Workholding Systems & Fixtures

8

MI

NY

PA

OHIN

IL

WIMN

ON

68%

THE GREAT LAkES REGION: wORLD-CLASS MANUFACTURING

STARTS HERE.

THE BIG M gives you unfettered access to manufacturers from around the country and the globe, especially in the

Great Lakes region – the world’s fourth largest economy, with a combined $4.7 trillion GDP, and producing

$461 billion in manufactured goods annually.

Seven of the eight states in the Great Lakes region are listed in the top 19 manufacturing states in the country. This region is also the gateway to

Canada, with half of Canadian manufacturing and one-fifth of U.S. manufacturing based on the region’s freshwater coast.

Tap into a market of more than 13 million manufacturing employees in Michigan alone. The tally for the Great Lakes region? Well over 100 million. And THE BIG M

is your best chance to connect with them.

of THE BIG M attendees are from the Great Lakes region.

21% of attendees are from other U.S. states.

11% of attendees are from outside the U.S. and Canada.

9

Michigan is the top-rated state for creating new manufacturing jobs:1

• 87,000Engineers • 70,000Researchanddevelopmentprofessionals • 75,000Skilledtradespeople

Michigan ranks #1 in the availability of skilled labor and has the fourth largest high-tech workforce in the country.2

Metro Detroit is home to 7,139 technology-industry business establishments. The region is second in the Midwest and fifth nationally.3

Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for number of manufacturers4 and has a annual output of $92.4 billion.5

Top manufacturing sectors in Illinois include:5

• Constructionequipment • Industrialequipment • Machinetools • Consumergoods • Chemicalmanufacturing

Manufacturing provides 17% of the gross output for the state of Ohio, equaling $87.2 billion annually.5

Ontario’s rapidly growing environment industry has more than 2,700 firms employing more than 65,000 people.6

Sources: 1 2014 Michigan Manufacturers Directory, Manufacturers’ News, Inc. 2 The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Pure Michigan, 2013 3 2013 Technology Industry Report, Automation Alley 4 Illinois Fact Sheet 5 Manufacturing By State, National Association of Manufacturers, 2012 6 Ontario’s Environmental Products and Services, Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2012

REACH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE IN THE HEART OF MANUFACTURINGTHE BIG M is your opportunity to capitalize on manufacturing’s resurgence in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region.

Don’t miss your chance to meet the manufacturers in this high-growth market.

“THE BIG M is an excellent example of how we can all learn and grow from exposure to new technologies and solutions.”

Eric Cosman Consulting Engineer The Dow Chemical Company

10

1 Traffic-Building Events on the Show Floor Show floor activities are designed and promoted to keep buyers coming back to the exhibit hall again and again.

2 Complementary Event Access for Guests Use your printed and electronic exhibitor guest passes to invite your partners, prospects, and customers to the

event at no charge.

3 Complementary Admittance to Event Sessions You’re invited to attend the Keynote Presentations as well as all M | Exchange sessions. You’ll receive one

complimentary M | Conference Pass. These presentations are ideal opportunities to meet potential buyers, as well as gain insight into the needs of manufacturers.

4 Company Listing on THE BIG M Website and Printed Directory Conference registrants and prospective attendees can search the exhibitor listing by company, keyword, or product

category to find the organizations that offer the types of products and services they’re looking for at the show.

5 Marketing Tools to Promote Your Booth and Brand Receive customized marketing support to help you make THE BIG M your greatest success:

Exhibitor Email Invitations – Send email invitations to your key customers and prospects. Marketing Kit and Exhibitor Manual – Receive all of the information you need to plan a successful booth. Banner Ads – Post these on your website with free registration for customers and prospects. Social Media – Promote your products and participation at THE BIG M through Twitter® and Facebook ®. New Product Indicator – Put this in front of your booth to get attention.

6 Pre-Registered Attendee Mailing List You’ll have access to the names, company affiliations, and addresses of pre-registered attendees for a one-time,

pre-show mailing for a nominal fee.

Target the audience that matters to you the most!

THE BIG M comprehensive marketing campaign targets serious, high-quality buyers that translate into on-site and future sales through:

Direct Mail Email Social Media Display Advertising Media Exposure Website

ExHIbITOR bENEFITSAt THE BIG M, you get more than just space on the exhibit floor. These value-added incentives will help maximize your investment before, during, and after the event.

M | Exchange presentations M | Factories Networking Reception

Manufacturers from across the Great Lakes region attend to find solutions that improve processes, increase quality, raise profits, and meet customer demands.

THE BIG M is a platform to meet highly motivated prospects from key growth industries – automotive, aerospace, medical, heavy equipment, and more. Position your product or service as a cutting-edge solution and meet more buyers than you would during a month on the road!

THE BIG M connects you with hard-to-reach decision-makers who can bring your enterprise to the next level.

ExHIbIT AND MAkE THE CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT

GET INvOLvED!bECOME A SPONSOR TO IMPACT YOUR bRANDIncrease your pre-event and on-site visibility, credibility, and brand awareness among key prospects with a customized event sponsorship. For more information, contact:

Tavi Fulkerson 248.593.9740 tavi@fulkersongroup.com

11

RESERvE YOUR ExHIbIT SPACE

TODAY!bigMevent@sme.org

800.733.3976

bigMevent.com

Alex Doherty 248.593.9740 alex@fulkersongroup.com

Exhibiting at THE BIG M not only elevates your brand with new and existing customers, but also attracts high-level investors and talent. It is a unique opportunity to provide the innovative solutions shaping the future of manufacturing in the Great Lakes region.

reserVe YoUr exhibit spaCe todaY!

bigMevent@sme.org bigMevent.com800.733.3976

one sMe drivedearborn, Mi 48128FIND THE LEADS

THAT LEAD TO bUSINESS

#bigMevent