In the past, I attended the Design Engineering Show in Chicago. For many years, it was accompanied by the Plant Engineering Show and eventually it became National Manufacturing Week. It was held at McCormick Place and it grew with the facility. In the 1980s and 90s McCormick Place got bigger and so did the Shows.
My colleagues and I reminisced about how the show "used to fit" in just the old part of McCormick Place. I can't quite recall the last time that I attended the Design Engineering Show but it was probably around 2003.
I attended an event this year which is a descendant of the old Design Engineering Show. Many years ago, the event was held by a company named Clapp & Poliak. I believe that they sold the event to Cahners which became Reed Publications. Reed eventually sold the show to Canon Media.
The show that I attended this year was a regional event called Midwest Design & Manufacturing. This show was held in conjunction with several other shows. By most metrics, this was probably a successful show with many exhibits and many attendees. It was not, however, the Design Engineering Show or the Plant Engineering Show.
I am in the media business and I know how things have changed. This event in Chicago has changed beyond recognition for me and I missed the old Design Engineering Show. It was held at a convention center in Rosemont, IL instead of my favorite McCormick Place. The design component of the show was considerably smaller than I remember.
I think that the people at Canon have done a great job with this event. It is smaller and more flexible. It was well attended too.
I just miss the old Design Engineering Show. Things have changed.
