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Photo Credit: CW

The composites industry’s last major, in-person, pre-pandemic trade event was the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX), held Sept. 2019 in Anaheim, Calif., U.S. No one who attended that conference and trade show could have anticipated that that iteration of CAMX would be the last in-person gathering of the composites industry for another 24 months. So, it is with great anticipation of a composites industry reunion, mixed with some uncertainty about how the coronavirus pandemic might yet disrupt the global economy, that composites professionals from around the world gather for , Oct. 19-21 in Dallas, Texas, U.S., at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center.

A chance to re-connect and interact directly with colleagues and friends for a few days might be enough to make CAMX 2021 a success, but the event will of course deliver much more than an opportunity for the composites industry to practice socializing again.

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CAMX, which is organized and presented jointly by the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE, Diamond Bar, Calif., U.S.) and the American Composites Manufacturers Assn. (ACMA, Arlington, Va., U.S.), is North America’s largest composites and advanced materials trade show and features a conference lineup of more than 130 presentations and a trade floor of more than 360 exhibitors. Both figures, understandably, represent a small decrease from 2019 totals, but constitute a sort of victory of their own just for persevering.

The conference

The , which starts the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 19 and concludes Thursday morning, Oct. 21 features Technical Papers and Education Sessions. Technical Papers are 25-minute peer-reviewed presentations that address technical topics related to composites and advanced materials design and fabrication. Education Sessions are 55-minute presentations that focus on case studies, best practices, emerging technologies and more. They can include panels of subject matter experts. 

Conference sessions and tracks will cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to design simulation, process modeling, coatings, gel coats, high-temperature materials, sandwich structures, multifunctionalism, thermoplastics, repair, bonding, sustainability, closed molding, process control, tooling, non-destructive testing, workforce development, regulations and much more. End markets covered run the gamut from corrosion and construction to aerospace and automotive. 

Apart from traditional conference presentations, CAMX also offers Featured Sessions, designed to provide highly focused information presented by high-level experts on cutting-edge technologies, innovation and market growth drivers that are shaping where and how composite materials are being applied.

On the show floor you will find Camp Fire Sessions, designed to provide more direct interaction with subject matter experts who can address a variety of topics, ranging from design engineering to tooling, fabrication and testing.

Keynote address, awards

CAMX will be officially kicked off on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 19 during the General Session with a keynote address delivered by Gregory M. Ulmer, executive vice president of the Aeronautics business area for Lockheed Martin Corp. (Bethesda, M.D., U.S.). He will present his insights on the influence of composite materials in his presentation, “Mission Ready: Composites Innovations in Defense.” He will also emphasize how composites materials play a significant role in aerospace, supply chain and the circular economy and sustainability. Ulmer’s presentation will be available on CAMX+, a digitally optimized experience that allows remote attendees to participate in CAMX from anywhere in the world.

Further, the General Session will see the presentation of the CAMX Awards. These are given in two categories — Combined Strength and Unsurpassed Innovation — and are designed to recognize extraordinary and creative application of composite materials. 

In addition, the ACMA will announce, on the show floor, the winners of its long-standing and prestigious Awards in Composites Excellence (ACE) program. ACMA will present six awards in three categories at CAMX: Design, Manufacturing and Market Growth.

As it has in the past, CAMX will provide a smartphone app that will allow attendees to see up-to-date information on scheduling, exhibitors, conferences and more. That app will be available in early October. 

Cost of attendance, online options

The CAMX full-conference package, which includes access to the full conference, conference proceedings, the general session, all receptions, the exhibit hall and the online platform for the duration of the event is $895 for ACMA and SAMPE members prior to Sept. 6. Cost for non-members is $1,095. After Sept. 6, those prices increase to $1,050 and $1,250 respectively. Students may access the conference, exhibit hall, the general session and the welcome reception for just $95.

If you are unable to attend CAMX in person, organizers are offering an online platform that provides live streamed sessions (General Session, Featured Session, Panels), on-demand Educational Sessions, an online floorplan, post-event interaction with exhibitors, networking opportunities and conference proceedings. Cost for the online platform is $295 for ACMA/SAMPE members, $395 for non-members and $95 for students. .

COVID-19 protocols

Because CAMX 2021 is the first major trade event for the composites industry since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, attendees and exhibitors will experience a variety of “firsts” operating in a dynamic public health and social environment.

CAMX organizers, for their part, report that show guidelines governing masking, social distancing, physical interaction and other protocols will follow local, state and federal recommendations, and are subject to change as the show approaches. Further, the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center will provide a MERV 13 filtration system in all air handlers throughout the center, UV light air purification in all passenger elevators, UV light purification on all escalator handrails, increased outside air intake in all spaces, numerous hand sanitizing stations and frequent disinfection on escalator rails, door handles and elevator buttons.

CAMX attendees and exhibitors are strongly encouraged by show organizers to wear a mask at the show and to refrain from handshakes and embraces as greetings. Instead, show organizers recommend elbow bumps, air high-fives, waving or any other form of greeting that does not require direct physical contact. Attendees are also strongly encouraged to register for CAMX online prior to the event, and to print and bring their credentials to the show. If you do not pre-register, CAMX will provide touchless on-site registration and contactless badge scanning in the conference. Visit the CAMX website for the latest information on safety protocols.

Exhibit previews

CAMX has always provided a platform for the introduction of innovative technologies and products, and this year’s show promises to maintain that tradition — particularly given the two-year gap of very limited in-person professional interaction.

CW solicited all CAMX exhibitors for information about the software, materials, equipment and services they will feature in their booths. We heard back from many of them. What follows is the first of two reports on what we received. The second preview will appear in the CW October 2021 issue.