The IMTS (International Machining Trade Show) is coming up later this year. The dates for this year's IMTS is September 6-13. I went to this last year and got introduced to FIRST at it.
The show focuses on Industrial Automation, Robotics, Machining (CNC and Manual), Mechanical Design, RP&M, Materials Handling, and Emerging Technologies.
I'm not saying you have to go to the whole thing, but just the weekend or something. It is really a great experience for anyone planning on pursuing a technical career or any career related to manufacturing or mechanical engineering.
The main website for IMTS is:
http://www.imts.com/
The part of the website about students is:
http://www.imts.com/visitor/student.html
This is the only trade show I know of which will let students go to all parts of the trade show, not just a small portion. Groups of students must sign up on the website ahead of time. Single students can sign up at the terminals on site upon their arrival. However, 6,000 students ended up going last time, so the lines at the sign-in terminals can be lengthy sometimes.
Thought I'd let you all know about this early. Its an opportunity you shouldn't miss out on.
Please tell me: if you think this might interest you, if you were one of the FIRST teams that were at IMTS last time, or if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Q