On October 24-26, 2006, Rockwell Automation hosted its annual Automation Fair and Manufacturing Perspectives in Baltimore; almost 10,000 manufacturing representatives from around the world attended.

Manufacturing Perspectives preceded Automation Fair on Oct. 24. Attendees heard from global executives, manufacturing experts and Rockwell Automation customers from around the world who convened to share their perspectives on industry trends and issues of the day. Speakers from Cisco Systems Inc., Hardness International Inc., IBM Global Business Services, Pearson Packaging, the Singapore Economic Development Board, the University of Cambridge—Institute for Manufacturing and the U.S. Department of Commerce were featured, along with Keith Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer of Rockwell Automation.

Automation Fair had 54 technical sessions, hands-on training labs and multiple manufacturing-industry presentations on key automation trends. The largest private trade fair in the United States also included more than 136 solution and product exhibits. Among the exhibitors were Thomas & Betts, Allen-Bradley, Leviton and Weed Instrument.