format. There will still be the
‘must haves’ from previous
years that we know delegates
value, but 2020 will introduce
a new, fl exible agenda which
will allow attendees to build
their own programme for
the day ensuring a tailored
conference experience.
A dynamic, state-of-theart
technology showcase will
display a wide range of digital
technologies that can transform
the manufacturing sector.
Industry-led workshops, clinics,
thinktanks and innovation
theatres will run throughout
the day to help delegates learn,
share, debate and network. A
learning zone will help navigate
the wealth of support that’s
available to help businesses
become more productive.
Along with the practical,
we also have the inspirational
and insightful. We’re delighted
to welcome keynote speakers
Henrik von Scheel and Indy
Johar to the conference main
stage. Henrik is best known
as the originator of Industry
4.0 and named as one of the
leading authorities on strategy
and competitiveness by the
Financial Times.
Indy Johar is a founding
director of Dark Matter Labs.
An architect by training and
visiting Professor at the
University of Sheffi eld, Indy is
in high demand as a thoughtleader
in how to transition
society to a technology
revolution. Both speakers will
be extremely thought-provoking
and leave delegates with plenty
of food for thought.
The day will be rounded
off with a drinks reception,
sponsored by the Michelin
Scotland Innovation Parc, when
the First Minister’s Award for
Manufacturing Excellence will
be announced. This celebrates
competitive and innovative
Scottish manufacturing
companies that
champion fair work and
inclusivity and invest in
the skills and wellbeing
of their employees. The
competition is open to
Scottish manufacturing
companies across the
supply chain and further
information and the application
form can be found on the
conference website. It could be
your organisation collecting this
MARCH 2020 SMAS CONFERENCE
prestigious award from the First Minister in
front of your industry peers on 26 May!
A word to our sponsors
Putting on an event of this scale would be
diffi cult without the fi nancial support of our
sponsors. We are delighted to welcome back
long-term supporter of the SMAS conference,
the Bank of Scotland as our Gold sponsor.
Investment is a key theme of the conference
and a large part of the day will be dedicated to
helping the manufacturing sector navigate the
funding landscape.
Our Silver sponsor is NMIS and its newly
appointed Chief Operating Offi cer, Sarah Jardine,
will deliver a keynote on how NMIS will support
the sector going forward.
We are also thrilled that global engineering
solutions company Booth Welsh has joined us as
a Bronze sponsor. We thank all our sponsors and
partners for their support.
Helping spread the word about Scotland’s
growing resurgence in manufacturing excellence
is hugely important and we thank Manufacturing
Management for agreeing to join us a media
partner for the conference. There will be no
shortage of content for them to write about when
it comes to manufacturing in Scotland!
The SMAS conference is a key event in the
manufacturing calendar and an important
platform to continue to build momentum, shine
a light on a fl ourishing manufacturing sector and
showcase the integrated network of support that
businesses can now leverage both from the public
and private sector.
To fi nd out more and book your place, go to
www.smas.co.uk. At £200 plus VAT for a ticket,
it represents fantastic value for money. I look
forward to welcoming you on the day to learn,
share, debate and network.
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