AMTDA and SME to collaborate on machnine tool event

The American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA) (www.amtda.org) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) (www.sme.org) will collaborate on the Machine Tool Experience-Las Vegas (MTELV) event to be launched in 2011.

"We think this collaboration is an exciting development for MTELV," Brian Papke, president, Mazak in the United States said. "AMTDA brings the expertise of the builders and suppliers, and SME offers a broader awareness of the industry and future manufacturing trends." Papke is a member of both AMTDA and SME.

AMTDA said MTELV (pronounced metal-ev) is an industry event for machine tool professionals by machine tool professionals. It is not another tradeshow, but an experience that combines all the best features and strengths of the corporate open house, customer training sessions, client appreciation events and new product announcements.

"AMTDA and SME share a commitment to the industry and marketplace,” Peter Borden, president, AMTDA said. "With this collaboration, we can ensure MTELV is truly an experiential event."

Mark C. Tomlinson, SME executive director and general manager, stated, "Our goal is to connect buyers and sellers of machine tools at a whole new level. We can do this best by working together."

AMTDA and SME will have equal representation on planning and operational committees. They will work with representatives of builders, distributors and customers to develop MTELV 2011, and expect to have more details to share with the industry sometime this summer.

The MTELV collaboration is in addition to the existing agreement between AMTDA, SME and AMT for the current APEX events such as WESTEC and EASTEC. The APEX series has AMTDA's, SME's and AMT's full support and commitment to continual improvement.