How to Get the Most Out of FABTECH: A Practical Guide for Manufacturers
FABTECH is one of the biggest opportunities of the year to see new technology, compare equipment, meet manufacturers, and have conversations that can shape your next major investment.
But with thousands of exhibitors, hundreds of machines, and only a few days to see it all, walking into the show without a plan can mean missing the things that matter most.
If you're heading to FABTECH in Las Vegas this year, here are a few ways to make the most of your visit.
1. Map Out Your Visit Before You Get There
Don't wait until you walk through the doors to figure out where you're going.
Take some time before the show to review the floor plan and identify the booths, machines, and companies you want to see.
Create a short list of your must-see stops, followed by a second list of booths you'd like to visit if you have extra time.
This simple step can save you hours of wandering and help make sure you don't leave the show thinking, "I wish we would have had time to see that."
2. Know Which Machines You Want to See
FABTECH is a great place to see equipment running in person—but you need to know what you're looking for.
Are you considering:
- A new fiber laser?
- A tube laser?
- A press brake?
- Robotic welding?
- Automation?
- Production software?
- Material handling?
- Deburring or finishing equipment?
Make a list of the technologies you're interested in before the show.
Even better, tell your equipment partners what you want to see before you arrive.
At On Point Solutions, we'd rather know ahead of time that you're interested in a specific laser, press brake, tube laser, or automation solution. That gives our team an opportunity to make sure you get the information, demonstrations, and conversations you need while you're there.
3. Plan Who You Want to Talk To
FABTECH isn't just about looking at machines.
It's an opportunity to talk directly with people who understand the equipment and the manufacturing challenges you're trying to solve.
Think about who you want to meet:
- Equipment manufacturers
- Sales representatives
- Applications engineers
- Service teams
- Automation specialists
- Software experts
- Your local equipment partners
If there's someone specific you want to talk to, reach out before the show.
A quick conversation ahead of time can make the difference between catching someone for five minutes in a crowded booth and having a productive conversation about your operation.
4. Visit the Bystronic Booth
If you're looking at laser cutting, bending, tube processing, automation, or production software, make the Bystronic booth one of your stops.
On Point Solutions will be at the Bystronic booth throughout FABTECH, and there will be plenty to see.
The booth will feature:
- Xpert Pro 150
- ByBend Star 80
- Mobile Bending Cell
- ByCut 3015
- ByTube Star 130 Plus
- BySoft Suite
Seeing these technologies in person gives you a much better understanding of how they operate, how they fit into a production environment, and what they could potentially do for your operation.
And don't wait until the last day to stop by.
If there are specific machines you want to see, reach out to the On Point Solutions team before FABTECH starts. Let us know what you're interested in so we can help you plan your visit and make sure you get to see everything you came for.
5. Schedule Meetings Before the Show
FABTECH gets busy.
Very busy.
If there are companies, salespeople, engineers, or equipment experts you know you want to meet, put time on the calendar before you arrive.
Don't rely on finding an open window during the show.
Schedule your meetings early in the day or build them into your booth route. That way, you have dedicated time for the conversations that matter most.
And remember—your schedule doesn't have to be packed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Leave some room for the unexpected. You may find a machine or technology you didn't know you needed to see.
6. Schedule Dinners and Customer Visits in Advance
FABTECH isn't just about what happens on the show floor.
It's also a great opportunity to catch up with customers, partners, manufacturers, and industry contacts.
If you want to have dinner with someone during the show, make the reservation early.
Las Vegas gets busy during major events, and the restaurants you want to visit can fill up quickly.
The same goes for customer visits or meetings outside the show. Get them on the calendar before everyone else's schedules fill up.
7. Bring Your Questions—and Your Problems
Don't just go to FABTECH to see what's new.
Go with a list of things you're trying to improve.
Maybe you're dealing with:
- Too much manual labor
- Long cycle times
- Material handling issues
- Production bottlenecks
- Inconsistent quality
- Difficulty finding skilled labor
- Too much downtime
- Limited floor space
- Growing production demands
Bring those problems with you.
The best conversations at FABTECH aren't necessarily "What machine do you sell?"
They're "Here's what we're trying to accomplish. What can you recommend?"
That's where the show becomes much more valuable.
8. Talk to Your Equipment Partner Before FABTECH
One of the easiest ways to get more out of FABTECH is to start the conversation before you ever get on the plane.
Tell your equipment partner:
- What machines you're interested in
- What you're currently running
- What you're looking to improve
- What projects you're considering
- Who from your team is attending
- How much time you have at the show
At On Point Solutions, this helps us understand what you want to accomplish at FABTECH so we can help you make the most of your time.
Instead of simply saying, "Stop by the booth," we can help you build a plan around what you actually want to see.
9. Don't Try to See Everything
This might be the most important tip.
You don't have to see everything at FABTECH.
You can't.
Trying to visit every booth, see every machine, and attend every event can leave you exhausted and still feeling like you missed something.
Prioritize.
Identify the 5–10 things that would make the trip worthwhile and make sure those happen first.
Everything else is a bonus.
10. Come With a Plan. Leave With a Plan.
FABTECH can be more than a few days of walking around a trade show.
It can help you identify your next piece of equipment, find ways to improve production, discover new automation opportunities, and build relationships with the people who can help you get there.
The key is preparation.
Map your route. Schedule your meetings. Know which machines you want to see. Talk to your equipment partners before the show. And give yourself enough time to have real conversations.
And if laser cutting, bending, tube processing, automation, or production software is on your FABTECH list, make sure the Bystronic booth is on your route.
On Point Solutions will be there. Come find us, tell us what you're working on, and let's make the most of FABTECH together.