As the manufacturing sector continues to emerge from the recent recession, this year's International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is the place to visit. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, IMTS will host more than 1,300 exhibitors and convert Chicago's McCormick Place into a "productivity marketplace," occupying more than 1.3 million-square feet.
According to a recent report by the Labor Department, productivity -- defined as the amount of output per hour of work--continues to increase, despite the reduced labor force, making sound quality practices even more essential. The organizers of IMTS recognize the importance of quality and have devoted an entire pavilion to quality assurance, as well a conference track dedicated to quality. More than 15 conference sessions will address various aspects of Six Sigma, measurement uncertainty, process control and other quality issues.