Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest industry news!

 

Tag: Long Beach

By Jason Middleton

Design2Part Trade Show Long Beach 2018We just got back from a fantastic Design-2-Part show in Long Beach, California. We had great conversations with many potential clients, and we weren’t alone; Chris Davis, VP of Trade Shows at the Job Shop Company, said that this year’s Long Beach show was the largest attended Southern California D2P show they’ve had since 2000.

“It’s significant that this show was so well attended, because the manufacturing industry is booming right now, and people are busy,” Chris noted. “The fact that so many people attended—especially when there were people who wanted to but couldn’t get away—means the people who were there were really motivated to make connections and do business.”

These days, it’s easier than ever to conduct business remotely—the internet allows for communication that is instantaneous and effortless. But for us, this show was an important reminder that while the internet age has brought us more technology and efficiency than we could have imagined, nothing replaces face to face interaction.

At Long Beach, we had the opportunity to talk directly to engineers and decision makers with purchasing power. We were able to show the actual thermoformed plastic parts we’d made, and we could talk through their projects and how we could help—right there on the show floor.

And as Chris points out, the benefits go both ways. “For engineers and decision makers, D2P gives them the opportunity to chat with the real experts—including company owners, presidents, CEOs. In one conversation, they can troubleshoot, discuss multiple options or scenarios, look at parts together—those are difficult things to do effectively and efficiently on email or the phone. But here, they can find a partner or vendor they trust and set the groundwork for their next project in the space of a couple of hours.”

Thanks to everyone at D2P for a great show! We’re grateful to have partners like you in this business and look forward to seeing you at the next show.

 

Tag: Long Beach

We love getting to meet with engineers, designers, and manufacturers at Design-2-Part shows around the country. But we look forward to the Southern California D2P show every year because it’s in Long Beach, which is practically our backyard. (If, you know, the Pacific Ocean could be a backyard.)

If you’ll be in town on September 12th and 13th, here are our recommendations for what not to miss.

  1. Check out the waterfront. Long Beach is where the city meets the resort, and the waterfront is the perfect place to experience the best of both worlds. Stroll along Shoreline Park and admire the boats in the harbor, visit the lighthouse, and poke around the fun and unique shops of Shoreline Village.
  1. Get out, in or under the water. Don’t miss the world-renowned Aquarium of the Pacific. With over 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits, the aquarium recreates many of the Pacific’s unique ecosystems. If you want to see marine life in the wild, consider a whale watch. And if you’re extending your stay and have some extra time on your hands, take the Catalina Express out to Catalina Island, a breathtaking destination 22 miles off the coast.
  1. Visit the Queen Mary. Built-in the 1930s and retired in 1967, the historic Queen Mary is an ocean liner-turned-hotel permanently docked in Long Beach. Whether you book a stay or just drop by for a drink, meal, tour, or special event, the Queen Mary is a must-see.
  1. Grab a bite to eat. There are many dining options near the Long Beach Convention Center, so you’re bound to find something right up your alley. For breakfast or a light bite, we love Crème de la Crepe. For lunch, the sandwiches at the family-owned Modica’s Deli are excellent. In the mood for a delicious meal with a gorgeous view? Check out Parkers’ Lighthouse.
  1. Come say hi. We’ll be at Booth #143 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 12th and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday the 13th. Come find us, say hi, and let us know what you’re working on right now. We’d love to tell you a bit about thermoforming and what our custom-manufactured plastics can do for you.

 

 

How Can Ray Products Help You Today?