My conception of what BCMC is and why a person might want to attend has changed. In past years, reasons for going included shopping for new equipment, seeing what new ideas were being introduced, attending a seminar on the economy or a part of the business you wanted to get to understand better, seeing old friends or simply sharing problems with other component manufacturers.
The manufacturing machinery 'side' of the show is clearly not the centerpiece anymore. The technologies offered are now well established, and although you will be able to find something new, it is unlikely that these "new" things will justify the trip.
The primary reason to attend in 2011 is education, to make an investment in yourself and your company. With 2-3 days and perhaps $1000 you can immerse yourself in many of the things you didn't have time for this year, like learning about some additional capabilities in the software you are currently using, or finding out how other CM's are doing 'more with less.' Although overall attendance is down significantly from a few years ago, BCMC still represents the largest congregation of CM's anywhere.
Have a passion about the details of truss design? Several senior engineers will be there to talk over whatever subject is a 'hot button' for you. Have a machinery maintenance question? Want to know how other people assign work to their designers? Whatever the subject, there will be CM's and MiTek 'experts' there, on the floor, ready to discuss anything you're interested in. This is a great time (before the crowds return) to spend as much unhurried, 1-on-1 time as you want.
