R.I. manufacturing & maker tech event slated for March 26-28

A MANUFACTURING- and maker-focused technology symposium featuring pop-up demonstrations will be held in the I-195 Innovation & Design District from March 26-28.
A MANUFACTURING- and maker-focused technology symposium featuring pop-up demonstrations will be held in the I-195 Innovation & Design District from March 26-28.

PROVIDENCE – A manufacturing- and maker-focused technology symposium featuring demonstrations and talks will be held in the I-195 Innovation & Design District from March 26-28, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said this week.

The event, at One Ship St., will be open to the public and hosted by local organizations and universities such as IYRS School of Technology & Trades, Polaris MEP, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, Rhode Island College and R.I. Commerce Corp.

Each day will focus on a different segment of manufacturing and making.

  • The event kicks off Sunday at 10 a.m. with a spotlight on Makers + Hackers.
  • Monday’s program centers on manufacturers, including presentations from Polaris MEP, the statewide nonprofit organization that provides improvement programs to Rhode Island’s manufacturing industry.
  • Tuesday’s program will focus on educators and students.

The latter half of each day will focus on the vision for a Mobile Maker Lab, which is a traveling technology laboratory developed by the aforementioned organizations.

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Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said that the pop-up showcase will give the community a “hands-on feel for what kind of technologies are being put to use in today’s manufacturing industry and will help inspire the next generation of Rhode Island manufacturing workers.”

Raimondo, who has emphasized manufacturing in her fiscal 2018 budget and also recently formed the Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council, said the Ocean State is “home to a thriving community of makers, manufacturers and creators.”

“This showcase of our state’s advanced manufacturing and maker movement in a district being developed as a regional hub for innovation is a creative and powerful demonstration that Rhode Island is gaining momentum to create jobs and strengthen our economy,” Raimondo said.

Terry Nathan, president of IYRS School of Technology & Trades, said the event also will showcase the type of manufacturing careers available, especially as the industry evolves into more advanced technologies.

Said David Chenevert, executive director of RIMA, “We need to reach students to help them understand that careers in advanced manufacturing are some of the most rewarding opportunities for young people today.”

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