From November 15-17, several Kirby Risk sales and automation team members traveled with a group of customers to attend Automation Fair 2022 held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. Presented by Rockwell Automation, Automation Fair 2022 featured engaging presentations, interactive training and learning, industry-centric discussions, and its signature Expo featuring the latest innovations from Rockwell Automation and members of their PartnerNetwork™ program.
Kirby Risk offered travel packages to customers that included a two-night stay at the Embassy Suites Chicago Magnificent Mile, breakfast and dinner events for two days, chartered bus transportation from a designated Kirby Risk location to Chicago and back, and shuttle service to and from McCormick Place. This year, a base package was also offered for those who wanted to drive themselves. They received the same hotel and dining accommodations as the travel package, plus hotel parking, minus bus transportation.
On November 15, five buses started out from Columbus, Muncie, Crawfordsville, Lima and Mt. Vernon branches with customers and employees aboard, then stopped at nine other locations along the way for more travelers. Once all arrived at the hotel via bus or their own transportation, over 200 attendees were treated to a welcome reception featuring drinks and heavy appetizers.
On November 16, after breakfast at the hotel, all attendees ventured to McCormick Place via shuttle to take in the technology sessions, exhibits and hands-on labs. Information and exhibits covered topics associated with Security and Networking, Digital Engineering and Design, Operations Management, Smart Manufacturing and more.
New this year, Kirby Risk hosted a distributor booth at Automation Fair. To encourage Kirby Risk employees and customers to visit our vendor sponsors’ booths as well as the Kirby Risk booth, punch cards were distributed.
In the evening, Kirby Risk along with our vendor sponsors, hosted a hospitality event at Lucky Strike. Nearly 400 people attended the event, including Kirby Risk employees, customers, vendors and several of Rockwell Automation’s upper management team. Guests relaxed after a busy day and enjoyed dinner and drinks. Many tried their luck at bowling, pool, ping pong, arcade games and more.
Special thanks to our vendor partners who helped sponsor the welcome reception and hospitality event: nVent Hoffman, Grace Technologies, Panduit, ProSoft Technology and Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems.
On November 17, after another tasty breakfast, attendees again visited the exhibit floor for more learning opportunities. At mid-afternoon, the charter buses picked up Kirby Risk customers and employees from McCormick Place and carried them back to their local branches by evening.
Missed Automation Fair 2022? You can catch it On Demand.