MD&M West Bolsters Workforce Development, Sustainability Focus

Event summary

  • MD&M West, a manufacturing trade show, will be held February 3-5, 2026, in Anaheim, CA.
  • The event has partnered with AMGTA, Dream Opportunity, Chapman University, and DiPPA.
  • A new 'Workforce Connect Event' will focus on networking and career opportunities for students and early-career professionals.
  • The Emerging Engineer Student Summit will host over 500 high school students from Southern California.
  • DiPPA will lead a post-event webinar focused on sustainable manufacturing practices.

The big picture

MD&M West's strategic shift towards workforce development and sustainability reflects broader industry trends addressing talent gaps and environmental concerns. The event's partnerships suggest Informa Markets is attempting to position itself as a central hub for these critical conversations within the $3 trillion advanced manufacturing sector. This focus on future-proofing the industry could be a key differentiator in a competitive trade show landscape.

What we're watching

Talent Pipeline
The focus on workforce development signals a potential response to ongoing labor shortages in advanced manufacturing; the success of the Workforce Connect Event will depend on attracting and retaining both students and industry participation.
Sustainability Adoption
DiPPA’s involvement and the Sustainable Manufacturing Conference suggest increasing pressure for manufacturers to adopt circular economy principles and reduce environmental impact, which could impact capital expenditure and operational costs.
Additive Tech Integration
The AMGTA presentation highlights the expanding applications of 3D printing; the degree to which these applications translate into widespread adoption and ROI for manufacturers remains to be seen.