FABTECH 2017 Debuts New TED-Style Talks to Motivate, Inspire Attendees
FABx Tech Talks feature visionary leaders speaking about the transformation, growth and future of manufacturing
FABTECH 2017 is embracing the popular TED Talks concept with the addition of short inspirational talks given by top executives on their experiences and thoughts for how innovation is driving the manufacturing industry forward.
The presentations, dubbed “FABx Tech Talks,” will provide FABTECH attendees with a glimpse into manufacturing’s future, including what tomorrow’s jobs will look like and what companies must do to remain competitive.
The FABx Tech Talks will be the expo’s opening keynote presentation on Nov. 6, the first morning of FABTECH, which takes place Nov. 6-9, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Visionary leaders participating in the inaugural round of talks are:
- Adam Genei, Founder of Mobsteel
- Jesse James, Founder of West Coast Choppers
- Karen Kerr, Executive Managing Director at GE Ventures
- Albert Paley, Sculpture Artist at Paley Studios
- Jacques Panis, President of Shinola
- Michael Walton, Industry Solution Executive (Manufacturing Industry) at Microsoft
Genei launched his popular Detroit-based Mobsteel company to celebrate the automotive industry and American engineering, which he showcases through transforming vintage cars into custom creations. Genei’s company rose to fame from a 2015 reality show of the same name on NBCSN, which was followed this year by a second series called “Detroit Steel” that premiered in January on the HISTORY channel. His FABx Tech Talk will delve into the reasons behind the success of Mobsteel and his Detroit Steel Wheel Co. brand to motivate audience members about the value of manufacturing and making things with your hands.
James started building motorcycles in his mom’s garage before going on to found his globally recognized West Coast Choppers brand. He has produced and starred in many television programs and established his own company Payupsucker Productions, through which he has released several documentaries, such as “History of the Chopper” and “Jesse James: Blacksmith.”
Kerr leads a team at GE Ventures focused on making investments and forming partnerships in the advanced manufacturing industry. She has spent two decades developing technology-based businesses and venture investing, including serving as Senior Director of New Ventures and Alliances at the University of Southern California Stevens Center for Innovation. Her FABX talk will highlight technologies that GE Ventures is working on to inspire attendees about what the future of manufacturing holds, including new 3D printing, virtual/augmented reality and supply chain visibility tools.
Paley is a world-renowned sculpture artist, who was the first metal sculptor to receive the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Architects, its highest award given to a non-architect. He has completed more than 50 site-specific works commissioned by both public and private corporations, including a four-sculpture, monumental gateway, called Odyssey, sited over the S. 24th St. Bridge in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for the Iowa West Foundation.
Panis has led the rapidly growing Shinola since 2013, after joining the luxury goods company to direct product development and strategy in 2010. Panis has more than 10 years of experience in marketing, branding and sales, and previously led the interactive division at Reel FX, a Dallas-based animation studio. His tech talk will focus on Shinola’s goal of creating American jobs through manufacturing, and inspiring attendees with his company’s experience in Detroit. That includes how the people of the city have been essential to the brand’s—and their personal—success, in addition to the community’s revitalization, by choosing to work at Shinola.
In his role at Microsoft, Walton works with Fortune 500 companies to bring game-changing technologies and strategies to their manufacturing operations. He helps those manufacturers obtain and leverage their data to revolutionize production methods, such as predictive maintenance, connected field services and remote monitoring. His FABx talk will be themed “Start small, move fast, think big,” and will emphasize the importance of innovation in the manufacturing industry, along with providing tips for how to build and sustain an innovative culture at an organization.
