Why You Should Attend This Year’s ATX West

ATX West 2020 is a much-anticipated automation trade show. It takes place from February 11-13, 2020 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. ATX 2020 features a number of exciting events and activities over the course of three days. Along with the main expo, there will also be an exhibit, live demos, and educational opportunities. If you’re looking to improve your business operations and expand your knowledge or skills in a certain area, this automation trade show is just what your company needs!

Who Should Attend?

ATX 2020 is designed for a variety of professionals and industries. The event generally attracts individuals working in many areas, including automotive, consumer electronics, medical devices, defense, aerospace, and more. At the conference, you’ll find a range of job titles as well, including design and manufacturing engineers, operations personnel, quality engineers, automation and robotics professionals, and executives. Each year, this diverse crowd convenes to find inspiration for a range of products and share insights.

Educational Opportunities

You’ll find a number of educational opportunities at the 2020 trade show in Anaheim, too. Overall, twelve educational tracks are represented. They fall into three main categories:

  • Smart Manufacturing Innovation Summit
  • 3D Printing Innovation Summit
  • Medical Design & Manufacturing West Conference



Within the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Summit, you’ll find topics on “The Rise of the Smart Factory” and “AI, Machine Learning, & IoT/IIOT: Factors Affecting Factory Floor Adoption.” The 3D Printing Innovation Summit includes courses on “Material Trends: Metals, Ceramics, Multi-Materials, and More,” and “Choosing the Right Tools & Materials to Support Your Design Strategy.” The Medical Design and Manufacturing West Conference includes conference tracks on “Exploring Emerging Technologies of the Digital Health Boom,” “User-Centered Design Strategies & Tactics for Faster Product Development,” “Advancements in Medical Plastics for Medtech,” “Keeping Up & Staying Compliant with Global & FDA Regulations,” and more.

Favorite Activities

At this automation expo 2020, you’ll find a variety of exciting and engaging activities and events to attend. Some are new this year, while others are back by popular demand!

This year’s lineup includes:

  • Center Stage
  • Tech Theater
  • Speed Networking
  • Sustainability Networking Reception
  • 3D Printing Networking Breakfast
  • MD&M Innovation Lab
  • Career Zone
  • Design Dome
  • Lunch & Learns
  • Cannabis Packaging Summit Expo
  • Networking Happy Hour



Along with these events, a 35th Anniversary Celebration is on the list of events as well. This event is designed to celebrate the anniversary of MD&M West. It is scheduled for Tuesday and commemorates past accomplishments and achievements while simultaneously toasting the future. The anniversary celebration is also a combined networking reception. Prospective attendees can register for the anniversary celebration online in advance.

Keynote Speakers

Each year, the conference has an exciting lineup of keynote speakers. This year’s agenda includes presentations by:

  • David Noonan
  • Hari Nayar
  • Brian Schmitz



Collectively, these three panelists cover a number of topics including top trends in mobility, manipulation, and programming; next-gen human-robot interfaces and developments for smart manufacturing and surgery; funding sources from government to private investment, and trends in design for system architecture that support operating processes and critical design elements that are imperative for new product development. The lineup of panel speakers will be moderated by Lori Jordan, the Former Director of Corporate Business Development at Microsoft.

Interactive Conference Sessions

ATX 2020 wouldn’t be complete without some notable interactive sessions. Luckily, there is an exciting list of conferences scheduled for the convention this year. They include Lighting Workshops and Tech Talk Panels. Lightning Workshops give attendees the opportunity to discuss product challenges while getting feedback from experts about problem-solving tips and solutions. This series includes 12 different interactive sessions. Topics range from getting a successful startup off the ground to avoiding problems with 3D printing. The Tech Talk Panels series includes a number of insights into categories that are significant for design engineers. In a series of interactive conferences, experts in this category discuss best practices for improved design, efficiency, and cost savings. Participants are encouraged to bring their toughest questions to the table! Topics covered in the Tech Talk Panels include additive manufacturing, how to choose the right material for your products, privacy and security concerns with AI and emerging technologies in the field of medicine.

Exhibit Opportunities

If you have a product or device that you’d like to share with others in the industry, you can sign up to attend the conference as an exhibitor. Registration is required in advance, and space is subject to availability. The automation expo 2020 features a separate exhibit center where thousands of attendees can convene to look at new products, attract new consumers, and find qualified leads. The exhibit venue is one of the most popular parts of the conference, as evidenced by the fact that over 20,000 qualified buyers and decision-makers convene to discuss products, opportunities, and ideas.

At ATX West, you’ll find an exciting lineup of speakers, activities, and events. There is plenty to see and do at this much-anticipated trade show in Anaheim, which is now in its 35th year. If you haven’t yet registered, be sure to sign up online today to get a free pass.