Sugar Grove Matchmaking Event Helping Manufacturers Source Business Locally
Sugar Grove, Illinois (PRWEB) February 03, 2016 -- The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) has announced the third date in the series of “Manufacturing Matchmaking” events for Chicagoland manufacturers to increase sales opportunities for firms in primary metals, metal fabricating, metal working and machinery industries. The matchmaking series is an initiative of IMEC and the Chicago Metro Metals Consortium. The event is scheduled for February 24th at the Waubonsee Community College, APC Building, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. Registration is open now through February 10th by visiting https://www.regonline.com/matchmaking-sugar-grove. To increase penetration and visibility of new market opportunities, IMEC has also partnered with the Valley Industrial Association who serves as a manufacturing resource organization in the region, as well as Kane and Kendall County economic development organizations.
This series of matchmaking and networking events represents “speed-dating” opportunities for suppliers and end users. Participating firms from across the region have a structured opportunity to network with potential customers and suppliers by sharing information, samples and more. The first two events in the series were held in Chicago (December 2014) and Bolingbrook (May 2015). Manufacturing participants have been encouraged by the amount of connections made at the event and the opportunity for new business relationships to transpire.
“This Manufacturing Matchmaking event is an excellent event for those wanting to source parts and services in their own backyard,” said Cindy Tomei, President of the Valley Industrial Association and co-host of the Sugar Grove event. “It provides the forum for manufacturers to connect with other local companies to form strong business relationships that can lead to sales, new product development and other types of collaboration. We are fortunate to partner with IMEC in order to bring this opportunity to our members.”
Advanced registration is required for all participants. Manufacturers may register for $50 per company and non-manufacturers may participate in a vendor capacity for $150. All one-on-one appointments are reserved strictly for manufacturers and scheduled on a first come, first served registration basis; organizers will try to accommodate all requests. Partners, or non-manufacturers, may participate in an exhibitor capacity benefiting from networking opportunities throughout the event. For additional information and to register, please visit https://www.regonline.com/matchmaking-sugar-grove.
The Chicago metro region is one of the nation's top metal manufacturing regions. Currently, there are more than 3,700 metal and machining firms in the region employing more than 100,000 people and generating $30 billion in annual revenue. The Chicago Metro Manufacturing Consortium’s goal is to assist companies involved in metals and manufacturing increase their revenues and productivity.
Additional program support is provided by the Valley Industrial Association, Kane County Development and Community Services, Kendall County Economic Development, J.P. Morgan Chase, Chicago Metro Metal Consortium, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, IMEC and Made in Illinois – highlighting the diversity of products made in the state and celebrating the companies that manufacture them.
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Lead Organizations:
Chicago Metro Metal Consortium
The Chicago Metro Metal Consortium brings together more than 40 organizations and governments, including the seven counties of Northeastern Illinois and the City of Chicago, to focus on the region’s cluster of more than 3,700 metal manufacturing firms. The Consortium was one of just 12 recipients nationwide to receive an “Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership” (IMCP) designation through the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2014 and seeks to support economic development strategies focused on workforce development; supplier networks; research and innovation; infrastructure and site development; trade and international investment; and operational improvement and capital access. Kendall County and IMEC, both committed partners of the CMMC, serve as co-chairs for CMMC’s Supplier Networks Subcommittee.
IMEC
IMEC was established in 1996 with the goal of improving the productivity and competitiveness of Illinois’ small and mid-sized manufacturing firms. A non-profit economic development organization, IMEC is funded in part by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and through fees paid by Illinois manufacturers for IMEC’s services. IMEC has 11 offices statewide and 40 full-time manufacturing improvement specialists.
Valley Industrial Association
The Valley Industrial Association (VIA) is exclusively for manufacturers and those businesses in Northern Illinois which serve manufacturing in the Fox Valley area, including Kane, Kendall, DeKalb and Western DuPage counties. A regional trade association for manufacturers, providing an environment for companies to connect locally with their peers and gain insightful business practices from companies they trust.
Amy Fitzgerald, IMEC-ILPEx, http://www.ilpex.org, +1 (309) 677-2977, [email protected]
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