Manufacturing Expo a Huge Success

Hundreds of middle school, high school and college students descended on the Wildcat Field House October 16 to experience first-hand all the products, technology, and opportunities available to them right here in Central New York.

The annual Manufacturing Expo, held in honor of National Manufacturing Day, welcomed not just students, but also manufacturers, businesses, and educators, shining a spotlight on New York State’s proud manufacturing past and its exciting manufacturing future.

“This event has grown exponentially over the past four years. We have manufacturers from across the State showing off their products/technology, plus colleges and workforce development groups ready to help prepare our community for exciting employment opportunities,” said Kathleen Alcott, Continuing Professional Education Program Coordinator at SUNY Poly and Expo Organizer. “With over 66 exhibitors on deck, there is plenty to see. We are thrilled to have students attending from 35 schools, and proud to be exposing them to exciting careers right here, in central New York!”

The free community expo featured exhibits from more than 60 companies and organizations from across New York state, each one showcasing their technology and products to students, many of whom have an interest in beginning careers in the manufacturing sector.

Ryan Miller, Director of the ThINCubator on Utica, drew quite a crowd as he talked with area students about nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit and creating the next great product and business in the Mohawk Valley. The thINCubator drives innovation and entrepreneurship in collaboration with other educational institutions, existing entrepreneurs, support organizations, government agencies and the community.

Express Employment Officials were one of the many businesses on hand, helping those who stopped by their booth with advice and tips on building a better resume and getting that resume into the hands of those where it will do the most good.

New York State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi stopped by, noting that area schools were “out in full force” as students connected with the businesses and people that keep things moving right in their own community.

Utica Boilers, known for its gas and oil-fired boilers for residential and commercial buildings since 1928, showed off the power of technology to create 3D printed Wildcats – the mascot of SUNY Polytechnic in Utica.

Saranac Brewery kept bellies bubbling with free soda tasting of their hallmark soft drinks like Root Beer, Orange Cream and Shirley Temples while Burrows Paper Corporation showed off the science of paper, and how they lower the carbon footprint of they and their customers with lighter paper that uses recycled and renewable resources.

“The crowds are big and curious,” said Rick Short of Indium Corporation during the event, whose booths, like many, saw a continuous flow of students, onlookers, and questions about the materials the company develops and manufactures for use in the electronics assembly industry.

Sponsored by Indium Corporation, the event included tours of the Quad-C Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNY Poly Utica and Mohawk Valley Community College’s FABLab and Mechatronics Lab.