Network and Have Some Fun
Elevate your experience by participating in networking events and experiences designed to provide the perfect blend of business and leisure. Unwind and forge meaningful connections within our advanced manufacturing community. Join fellow engineers, colleagues, and potential partners and leverage these extra chances to seal your leads face-to-face and boost your business objectives. See our list of networking events below:
Welcome Reception
Kick off MD&M Midwest with the Welcome Reception and celebrate our 30th anniversary. Enjoy complimentary drinks, bites, prize giveaways, and more as you network with peers, speakers, and customers at this open-to-all reception on the expo floor. Badges required for entry. All welcome.
Date, Time & Location:
Tuesday, October 21, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Booth 1302
Sponsored by:
Booth Crawls
Wind down with your peers at meet-and-greets on the expo floor at participating booths! All pass types can visit with exhibitors, enjoy a beer and light bites, and learn about exceptional product offerings.
Date, Time & Location:
Tuesday, October 21, 4 – 5 p.m., Expo Hall
Sponsored by:
MD&M Park
Come relax, interact with your peers, and have some fun at MD&M Park – a gathering place featuring local artists and not-for-profit organizations.
MD&M Park includes forestry and crafted seating from urban forestry and youth organization Tree Trust. After the event, the seating – which is being built by Tree Trust’s Career Pathways program participants – will be delivered to the Normandale Elementary School in Bloomington, MN, for use in their outdoor classroom. In addition, the trees will be planted in the Minneapolis metro area as part of the program’s community impact.
Schedule of Events:
Tuesday, October 21
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Complimentary Caricatures from Twin Cities Caricatures
A live caricature artist will provide on-the-spot sketches for attendees. Take home a personalized memento while engaging with others in MD&M Park.
Courtesy of:
2 – 4 p.m.
Healing Hearts Rescue On-Site Pet Adoption & Donation Opportunities
In partnership with Healing Hearts Rescue, MD&M Park will feature on-site pet adoption opportunities for attendees looking to give a dog a forever home. Guests can also contribute through donation initiatives, directly supporting Healing Hearts’ mission to rescue and rehome dogs in need.
Healing Hearts Rescue On-Site Pet Adoption & Donation Opportunities
Courtesy of:
Wednesday, October 22
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Complimentary Professional Headshots
For the second year, MD&M Midwest will provide complimentary professional headshots to attendees during the expo. Available on a first come first serve basis. Share your headshot on LinkedIn with #MD&MMidwest for a chance to win an Amazon gift card!
Complimentary Professional Headshots
Courtesy of:
About Tree Trust
Tree Trust is a Minnesota-based forestry group that organizes efforts to increase the urban tree canopy through community and school-based volunteer plantings, municipal tree distributions, and other special forestry initiatives. Tree Trust offers two Career Pathways programs—the Summer Youth Employment Program and Branches — which aim to introduce young people from underrepresented communities to sustainable careers while also creating and enhancing local green spaces for community enjoyment. Many of the trainees secure jobs directly after the program, helping to build a pipeline of trained workers for local employers.
Courtesy of:
About Healing Hearts Rescue
Healing Hearts Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit dog rescue in Minnesota dedicated to changing the lives of animals whom humans have failed by finding them safe and loving homes. It is 100% funded through adoption fees and donations. The organization believes that every dog deserves to be loved as true members of a family and is committed to fulfilling that dream one dog at a time!
Demo Zone at MD&M Park
Step into the Demo Zone, where innovation comes alive through dynamic 30-minute product demos from leading suppliers. See the latest manufacturing technologies and solutions in action and explore innovations up close and gain practical insights.
Demo Schedule:
| Tuesday, October 21 | |
| 1:15 – 2 p.m. | Film-Cast Reimagined: A New Approach to Catheter Design Challenges |
| 2:15 – 3 p.m. | Optimizing Efficiencies and Cutting Costs on Catheter Assemblies with Secondary Operations |
| 3:15 – 4 p.m. | Hidden Risks and How to Avoid Them: Material Science Pitfalls in Medical Devices |
| Wednesday, October 22 | |
| 1:15 – 2 p.m. | Analytical Analysis of Medical Devices Coated or Loaded with Antibiotics |
| 3:15 – 4 p.m. | TBD |
Networking
Connect with peers, suppliers, and industry leaders in an engaging, business-focused environment where you can build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities to advance your objectives. Featured networking opportunities include themed meet-ups and curated 1:1 speed networking tailored to key manufacturing sectors.
Networking Schedule:
| Tuesday, October 21 | |
| 11:15 – 12 p.m. | Open Networking: AI & Machine Learning Add to My Show Planner » |
| 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Speed Networking: Automation & Robotics (limited to 40 participants) Add to My Show Planner » |
| 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Open Networking: Cardiovascular MedTech Add to My Show Planner » |
| 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. | Speed Networking: Design & Manufacturing Collaboration (limited to 40 participants) Add to My Show Planner » |
| Wednesday, October 22 | |
| 11:15 – 12 p.m. | Open Networking: 3DP & Additive Manufacturing Add to My Show Planner » |
| 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Speed Networking: Medical Device Technologies (limited to 40 participants) Add to My Show Planner » |
| 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Open Networking: Women in Engineering, in partnership with Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Minnesota Add to My Show Planner »  |
| 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. | Speed Networking: Innovation Through AI, Machine Learning & Electronics (limited to 40 participants) Add to My Show Planner » |
Coffee Talks
Enjoy complimentary coffee and snacks with education presented by leading experts:
Tuesday, October 21
10:30 – 11:15 a.m., Booth 1950
Right-Sized Automation: How to Reduce Risk and Boost Profitability
Presented by:
Wednesday, October 22
10:30 – 11:15 a.m., Booth 1950
Innovative Pathways in Medical Device Manufacturing: From Concept to Market
Presented by:
Wednesday, October 22
12 – 12:45 p.m., Booth 1950
QSMR & Cloud ERP: A Practical Playbook for MedTech Compliance
Presented by:
Lunch & Learn
Tuesday, October 21
12 – 1:15 p.m., Booth 1950
Addressing Common Laser Processing Challenges in Medical Device Manufacturing Using Process Control and Automation
Presented by:
