QED 2004 Proves Successful

NORWALK, CT-Quality Expo Detroit, the only U.S. trade event exclusively focused on quality solutions for manufacturers, brought 3,535 industry professionals together to do business June 9 to 10 at the Novi Expo Center (Novi, MI). Visitors from 37 states came with projects in hand and challenges to be solved as they canvassed the show floor and compared the latest quality-related technologies and services from more than 225 suppliers.

The overwhelming consensus from exhibitors is that the show was a success. "I'm pleased," comments R. Stephen Flynn, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Quality Vision International Inc. (Rochester, NY). "We're leaving with more leads than we expected."

Michael Metzger, department manager, Nikon Instruments (Melville, NY), says, "This event has exceeded our expectations. It's the busiest I've seen the show in three years. The traffic has been good and we're seeing people from all over-California, Arizona, the East Coast-not just regionally. We've had two good days."

"This has been an extremely successful show for us," says Dan Lockton of itp styli LLC (St. Louis). "We've met new prospects and built rapport with existing customers. We've gotten many good quality, solid leads."

Bob Djurovic of DNV (Houston), says, "We are pleasantly surprised at the increase in leads that we've received. The traffic and the coordination of the event are much improved."

Garrell Little, account manager for Faro (Lake Mary, FL) says, "We've gotten a lot of good leads in my territory-Western Michigan and Northern Indiana-which is unusual, as this event is usually more regional. An even mix of existing and new customers has come by our booth. We've seen many people that have been interested for years and now they are ready to buy."

Conference program

and free sessions

In addition to the latest products and technologies on the show floor, many special features helped drive the success of this year's Quality Expo Detroit, including the all-new conference program. This industry-driven conference featured sessions by the ASQ Automotive Division; Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG); ASM, The Materials Information Society; APICS, The Educational Society for Resource Management; and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The sessions covered topics such as Lean Production, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control and Designed Experimentation, ISO 9001: 2000 and TS16949.

This year's Quality Expo Detroit featured five free sessions which were all well-attended, including a free keynote address by Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s engine development engineer, Charles Jenckes. His session, "The Race for Quality Has No Finish Line-Quality and Applications in a NASCAR Nextel Cup Engine Shop," was well-received by the crowd. Later in the day at the Free Networking Reception, visitors were able to meet Jenckes while they got a close look at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 car, which was on display throughout the show.

Future Quality Expo events

Quality Expo will take place April 19 to 21, 2005, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont (Chicago), IL. Visit www.quality-expo.com for information and registration for free admission. Quality Expo will again be in the Detroit area June 7 to 8, 2006, at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, MI. For details visit www.qualitydetroit.com or call (800) 840-5688.