WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA-East Coast manufacturing event EASTEC will celebrate its 30-year anniversary May 19 to 21, 2009, at the Eastern States Exhibition Center in West Springfield, MA. The three-day event will draw approximately 14,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors featuring advanced technologies, production methods and management concepts.

EASTEC will be spread over 160,000 square feet of space and consist of five technology-focused areas: precision manufacturing equipment and systems; automation, supply chain and process improvement; plant, energy and environmental efficiency; design engineering and rapid technologies; tooling, workholding and machining accessories. New resource centers will provide attendees with access to experts who will present the latest innovations on lean and green, energy, medical and aerospace, and defense.

Furthermore, EASTEC will hold its Careers In Technology Program for 8th through 12th grade students on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Students will have the opportunity to tour the exhibits, talk to manufacturers and participate in a design competition. Through its sponsor, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), EASTEC has access to $600,000 in scholarships and each student attending this year’s program will have the opportunity to apply for one. Approximately 500 students attended the program last year.

On May 19th, 2009, economist Alan Beaulieu from the Institute for Trend Research will address manufacturing executives and their top clients to an invitation-only dinner and presentation at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. For more information visitwww.sme.org.