Whether you are a multinational or a small-to-medium-sized company, over 50 Italian manufacturers are showcasing full lines of machinery and technology to meet your particular needs. Creativity, innovation and flexibility are the three key elements that mark Italy's recognized world leadership in the machine tools industry.

A highlight of IMTS is the 2008 Italian Machine Tools Conference Dinner jointly sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission and UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian Machine Tools, Robots and Automation Manufacturers' Association. This event takes place at the Harold Washington Library Center's Winter Garden located on the 9th floor. Considered the architectural centerpiece of the library, The Winter Garden is an elegant atrium which features a terrazzo and marble floor and a 52-foot glass paneled dome that spans the entire room.

Invited guests include leading Italian machine tool manufacturers and representatives of top U.S. buyers and distributors of Italian made machine tools. The featured speakers for this event are:

• Ralph Carruth, Director of Materials and Processes Laboratory, Engineering Directorate, Marshall Space Flight Center for NASA;
• John Byrd, President of AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology;
• Giancarlo Losma, President of UCIMU - SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and;
• Pasquale Bova, Italian Trade Commissioner.
• Pier Luigi Streparava, Commissioner General EMO 2009

The Italian Trade Commission and UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE present the Italian Machine Tool Technology Award program winners, a competition that asks students attending premier North American Universities to write a thesis on one of four issues affecting the metalworking industry. Student winners were awarded a trip to Italy to visit leading Italian manufacturers of machine tools. This year's trip took place June 22-28, 2008.

In addition, UCIMU introduces EMO 2009, the world's largest trade show for industrial equipment and productivity, which takes place in Milan, Italy on October 5-10, 2009. Exhibitors from all over the world will display their entire range of products and services for the metalworking market keying on machine tools, manufacturing systems, precision tooling, automated systems, computer technology, industrial electronics and accessories.

For more information, please contact the Italian Trade Commission or visit www.italianmachinetools.com.