FITMA – The Event That Places Content as The Difference Maker

On the surface, FITMA may seem like another event. There is a date and convention center location, and there are excited exhibitors to showcase their technology and/or services to attendees eager to review their operational options and find ways to improve production. However, FITMA has one main ingredient that no other event in Mexico or in Latin America has: it is owned and operated by a professional communications company with over 90 years’ experience in connecting buyers and sellers in the manufacturing community through high-value content – Gardner Business Media.

Gardner Business Media is not new to the events side of marketing and communications. Not only do we own and operate our own events including digital platforms, conferences and medium- and large-scale events, but we also manage events for associations, and we are a long-time partner to IMTS.

With so many events and communication options today, the ones that tend to be most successful are the ones that can deliver “content.” Content is the primary ingredient to reach the market and FITMA has plenty!

Content for Attendees

FITMA is co-located with MSC Expo. This is a manufacturing supply chain expo, and therefore FITMA is now looking to be a “one-stop shop” for much higher-value targeted attendees to visit the event. They can review technology on one side and review sub-contracting or outsourcing on the other. These decision makers have never had an opportunity like this under one roof before. Add the easy access of direct flights to Mexico City and less than 10-mile trek to Centro Citi Banamex, and the ingredients are set for this desired audience to attend.

FITMA will also host multiple conference tracks. These paid educational series will support presentations on manufacturing techniques using the latest equipment.

Learning what is available followed by then visiting FITMA exhibitors that will carry such products to support their new knowledge is even more of a reason to attend. Modern Machine Shop Mexico’s editorial team is accustomed to providing quality programs to attract the attendee investing in learning to improve production.

FITMA will also host the “Emerging Technology Showcase.” Gardner has decided to sacrifice revenue and instead invest in a large space in the middle of the floorplan, to position more content (free of charge) for the attendees. Here, attendees can see small presentations on what exhibitors will be showcasing in the booth and the attendee can get more information prior to exploring the event.

Finally, FITMA is organized by technologies. Attendees can easily navigate to relevant areas of the floor to maximize their time invested at FITMA. This is much like the “supermarket” strategy. If someone would like pasta, they go to the pasta section. If someone would like soup, they go to the soup section. If a supermarket had pasta in 5 different aisles, people would stop going as it is not respectful of their time (see floorplan on www.fitma-la.com for more info).

Content for Exhibitors

FITMA is not just about selling real estate for one week. FITMA offers even more value to the exhibitor, starting soon after the contract is signed. FITMA representatives will schedule a video interview with the exhibitor. FITMA and the exhibitor will have this content to share on their own channels, with FITMA using its social media and newsletters to deliver this content to the more than 100,000 customers in its database! The exhibitor can push this content to its customer base to remind them to spend time at their booth and not schedule so many other appointments to visit competitors. 

For a limited time, FITMA will also offer the “Bronze” package in the digital B2B connection forum of our website. Exhibitors will receive a username and password to set up their own showroom to start connecting with visitors to the website. This also enhances exhibitors’ SEO (Search Engine Optimization), another great value-added affair for exhibitors that helps connect them to the buying audience over the next 10 months!

FITMA is also offering a minimum of two points of sale on the show floor. The booth will be one location, and the Emerging Technology Showcase located in the center of the floor will be the other. Exhibitors will be assigned a date or dates (depending on the size of your booth) to present in a neutral area the technology or services they have brought to the event. This center is free of charge to attendees.

Finally, FITMA exhibitors will be next door to MSC Expo – a supply chain event. These are all prospects that have show hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FITMA is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and therefore exhibitors will have a chance to meet with them and network all week long.

Finally, the date. The last week of June (eight months away) is the much-anticipated launching ground into the second half of the year. We know that automotive inventory is already running low. We know that companies are moving the supply chain and will increase pressure on production speed. Finally, we know that the medical community is getting better every day at finding ways to manage the pandemic.

Life will go on. We will attend sporting events, concerts, and (yes) industry events. Our recent survey to an attendee audience showed that 90% would attend an event. This is our community, and we need events to learn, network and do business, and FITMA and MSC Expo are ready to host. Are you ready to attend?