• Final Chance to Register for AMBA Annual Convention

Today is the final day to register for the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) Annual Convention, which will be held March 21 – 25 in Orlando, Florida. 

“Mold the Future of Your Business” is this year’s theme, and the AMBA has several keynote speakers whose topics can help U.S. moldmakers do just that.  They are: 

• Richard McCormack, editor and publisher of Manufacturing Technology News, and Scott Paul, founding executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, are co-authors of their book “Manufacturing A Better Future for America”. They will present attendees with a look at what American manufacturers need to do to create a better future for ours and future generations.

• An expert panel will provide unique insights into these three major markets that mold manufacturers serve:

1. Appliance Market: Jack Shedd, Vice President Marketing & Sales,
   Hoffer Plastics Inc.

2. Automotive Market: Laurie Harbour-Felax, President of Harbour
   Results Inc.

3. Medical Device Market: Jerry Seidelman, Sales & Marketing
   Manager, Tech Mold Inc

• Patrick F. McNally, a partner of Blackman Kallick's Corporate Financing Group, will give answers to all those questions you've wanted to ask - answers that will provide strategic direction to help companies formulate their futures.

• Scott Smith, Managing Partner of SalesPro Inc., will provide tips on how to develop long-term goals in sales organizations, how to accept rejection and overcome objections, and teach people to be "relationship" sales people to make the sales team more effective and the company more profitable.

• Ryan Pohl's Expert Technical Training practice evolved from his work as the Training Coordinator at Commercial Tool and Die in Comstock Park, MI. Ryan's presentation will raise awareness in the industry of the coming skilled-labor shortage and how it has the potential to dramatically hinder future sustainability and growth.

• Andy Bondhus, Tooling Engineer for i2Tech, a large custom injection molder and contract manufacturer in West Des Moines, Iowa will discuss"In-Mold Labeling and In-Mold Decorating". Andy's presentation will look at the nuances of designing molds to accommodate this technology for durable goods including accommodating the label in the mold, the extensive supply chain involved in designing for in-mold labeling, and how collaborative efforts with automation suppliers, label suppliers, the OEM and the molder are needed to be successful in this technology.

• Todd Schuett of Creative Evolution, Scott Fernandez of Vega Tool, Rob Esling of Industeel, Glenn Starkey of Progressive Components, all suppliers to the mold manufacturing industry, can help you secure your future in many ways. Learn how you can work with your supplier to promote the value of your business to your customers, how your suppliers can help you provide more value to your customers, and how together we can all come out winners!

In addition to the full conference program, the AMBA Mold Builder of the Year and Chapter of the Year awards will be announced, both sponsored by Progressive Components.

For more information, visit www.amba.org.