Informa Markets – Engineering, organizer of Virtual Engineering Days and publisher of MD+DI, reports that the upcoming three-day digital conference and exhibition for plastics, packaging, and manufacturing professionals has gained the support of key industry groups. Keynotes have also been announced. 

The following industry leading associations and advocacy groups are lending their support for the June 15-17 complimentary event:  

"Our team has worked hard to put together an unparalleled keynote and conference lineup to support and advance the manufacturing industry’s future on a global and regional level,” said Suzanne Deffree, group event director, Virtual Engineering Days, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to receive the support from our partners, each of which will promote Virtual Engineering Days to their key members in the manufacturing industry and will be accessible to attendees on the digital expo floor. Together, we can shape a more creative and technology-forward tomorrow.  

"With these partnerships, we have the ability to increase the breadth and reach of our must-attend event and better connect industry leaders that are developing the materials, processes, technologies, and designs needed to manufacture a more sustainable and productive future," added Deffree.  

Virtual Engineering Day Partners

Here's a little more on the industry groups promoting the event:

California Manufacturers & Technology Association. Formerly the California Manufacturers Association, the CMTA works with state government to develop balanced laws, effective regulations, and sound public policies to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs while safeguarding the state's environmental resources. CMTA represents 400 businesses from the entire manufacturing community – an economic sector that generates more than $300 billion every year and employs more than 1.2 million Californians. 

Plastics Industry Association. The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) aims to serve the entire plastics supply chain. Founded in 1937, it has a track record of fostering collaboration between each segment of the industry and evolving right alongside the plastics industry as a whole.    

Society of Plastics Engineers. With more than 22,500 members, SPE aims to support everyone in the plastics industry value chain – whether a scientist, engineer, technical personnel, or a senior executive – and strives to ensure that everyone has the tools necessary to meet personal and professional goals. It provides a forum that generates a strong awareness of issues facing the plastics community to examine potential solutions that will benefit everyone.

Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council. The SPMC is a consortium of like-minded companies committed to patient protection by providing sterilization packaging for life-saving medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The SPMC collaborates with supply chain partners and regulators to provide packaging requirement guidance, test methodology clarity, standards development, and user education.

Opening Keynote Presentations Announced 

Virtual Engineering Days will also offer keynote presentations from maxon and TerraCycle and technical seminars from DuPont, Forward Engineering, UpStart Product Development, Medtronic, and more. There will also be a bonus track on packaging education for the growing Cannabis market presented by the Cannabis Packaging Summit and Packaging Digest. 

Don't miss these inspiring keynotes:

Motors in Space: To Mars and Beyond | Tuesday, June 15 at 11 a.m. EDT 

Robin Phillips, Head of SpaceLab at maxon 

There is no denying that the Martian environment can be harsh and unaccommodating to systems made to operate on Earth. Through a combination of standard industrial motors and creative collaboration, technology-forward customizations allow high-precision, long-life motors to make it to Mars and beyond. Robin Phillips, head of SpaceLab at maxon, will discuss how designs must push beyond their limits to offer greater precision while operating in harsh environments—with a no-fail requirement—as NASA and partners push beyond their limits, launching rovers and helicopters to the Red Planet. 

Designing for Sustainable Manufacturing | Wednesday, June 16 at 11 a.m. EDT 

Dr. Ernel Simpson, Executive Vice President, R & D and Technical Innovation, TerraCycle 

TerraCycle Global Vice President Research & Development Ernel "Ernie" Simpson develops solutions for a variety of traditionally non-recyclable waste and is the lead scientist behind the company's invention of a revolutionary recycling process for dirty diapers, cigarette filters, and chewing gum.  With more than 30 years of industrial experience, Ernie spent six years at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development. He was previously employed at DuPont, Xerox Corporation, Rohm and Haas, and Arco Chemicals. 

For more information and to register to attend Virtual Engineering Days, visit www.engineeringwk.com.