In the bustling heart of the Midwest, where engineering prowess meets a thriving industrial landscape, the Design & Manufacturing (D&M) Minneapolis event stands as a beacon for innovation. This crucial gathering isn’t just a showcase; it’s a dynamic marketplace where the latest advancements in product design, prototyping, and manufacturing converge, offering a glimpse into the future of how products are conceived and created.

D&M Minneapolis is a vital component of the larger Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis event. This strategic co-location creates an unparalleled, synergistic experience, bringing together multiple specialized expos under one roof. These typically include Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Minneapolis, Automation Technology Expo (ATX) Minneapolis, Plastec Minneapolis, and Pack Expo. This comprehensive approach means attendees can explore the entire spectrum of industrial processes, from the initial spark of an idea in design to the final packaged product. It’s an indispensable event for engineers, designers, manufacturers, R&D professionals, and supply chain experts seeking to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

The Epicenter of Midwest Manufacturing: The Venue and Its Time

D&M Minneapolis consistently takes place in the vibrant and accessible city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a hub for medical technology, food processing, and advanced manufacturing. The event is held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, located at 1301 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA. This modern and expansive facility is well-equipped to host large-scale exhibitions and conferences, offering ample space for exhibitors, demonstration areas, and a variety of educational sessions. Its downtown location ensures excellent connectivity via Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and the city’s efficient light rail system, making it convenient for both regional and national attendees.

D&M Minneapolis is an annual event, strategically timed to gather industry leaders and present the latest innovations. For 2025, the co-located Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis events, including D&M Minneapolis, are scheduled for October 21-22, 2025. The main expo hall typically operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 21st, and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 22nd. The conference sessions, offering deeper dives into specific topics, usually begin earlier, around 9:00 AM each day, and conclude in the late afternoon. This compact, two-day format is packed with value, allowing attendees to maximize their learning and networking without an extended commitment.

Forging the Future: Product and Solution Categories

The exhibition floor at D&M Minneapolis is a powerful showcase of the technologies, services, and materials that are shaping the next generation of products. Attendees will find a vast array of solutions essential for every stage of design, prototyping, and manufacturing:

• Design & Product Development Tools:
  • CAD/CAM/CAE Software: The latest in computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering software for conceptualization, simulation, and analysis of products and processes.
  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems: Solutions for managing product data, workflows, and collaboration across the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to end-of-life.
  • Design Services: Expertise in industrial design, engineering design, and product development consultation.
• Rapid Prototyping & Additive Manufacturing:
  • 3D Printing Technologies: A wide range of additive manufacturing solutions, including FDM, SLA, SLS, DMLS, and binder jetting, for creating prototypes, tooling, and even end-use parts.
  • Prototyping Services: Companies offering quick-turn prototypes and small-batch production.
• Materials & Components:
  • Advanced Materials: New developments in polymers, composites, metals, ceramics, and smart materials with enhanced properties for various applications.
  • Electronic Components: Sensors, microcontrollers, embedded systems, cabling, and connectors vital for smart product development.
  • Precision Components: Manufacturers of high-precision machined parts, fasteners, springs, and other critical components.
• Manufacturing Processes & Equipment:
  • Precision Machining: CNC machining centers, turning, milling, and grinding equipment for tight-tolerance part production.
  • Metal Fabrication: Laser cutting, welding, bending, and stamping equipment.
  • Injection Molding & Forming: Equipment and services for plastic injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and other material forming processes.
  • Assembly Solutions: Automated and semi-automated assembly systems, including robotics and collaborative robots (cobots), for efficient product assembly.
• Quality Control & Test & Measurement:
  • Metrology Equipment: Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), optical inspection systems, laser scanners, and other tools for precise measurement and quality verification.
  • Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Technologies for inspecting materials and components without causing damage.
  • Test & Measurement Equipment: Devices for electrical, mechanical, and environmental testing of products and components.
• Contract Manufacturing Services:
  • Companies offering specialized manufacturing capabilities, including medical device contract manufacturing (a strong focus due to MD&M Minneapolis), precision machining, electronics assembly, and full product assembly.
• Automation & Robotics (from co-located ATX Minneapolis):
  • Industrial robots, motion control systems, sensors, vision systems, and automation software for factory automation.
• Plastics (from co-located Plastec Minneapolis):
  • Resins, additives, compounding, recycling technologies, and specialized plastic processing machinery.
• Packaging (from co-located Pack Expo Minneapolis):
  • Packaging machinery, materials, containers, labeling, and automation solutions for product packaging.

This expansive range ensures that attendees can find integrated solutions, discover new suppliers, and gain insights across the entire manufacturing value chain.

The Innovators Convening: Visitor Count and Demographics

D&M Minneapolis, as a key part of the Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis cluster, attracts a substantial and highly qualified audience from across the Midwest and beyond. The combined event is a significant draw for the regional manufacturing industry. Recent editions of this co-located show have seen combined attendance figures reaching over 5,000 visitors and featuring more than 575 exhibiting companies. This robust participation highlights its importance as a central hub for manufacturing and design professionals.

The attendee profile at D&M Minneapolis is diverse yet focused, encompassing key decision-makers and technical experts from various roles and industries:

• Design Engineers & R&D Professionals: Actively seeking innovative materials, software, and rapid prototyping solutions to bring new products to life.
• Manufacturing Engineers & Production Managers: Looking for advanced machinery, automation solutions, and process optimization strategies to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Product Development Managers: Focused on accelerating time-to-market, reducing development costs, and improving product performance.
• Purchasing & Procurement Managers: Sourcing components, materials, and specialized manufacturing services.
• Quality Assurance & Control Professionals: Exploring new inspection, testing, and metrology equipment to ensure product reliability and compliance.
• Operations & Plant Managers: Aiming to streamline production, enhance operational efficiency, and implement smart manufacturing practices.
• Medical Device Engineers & Manufacturers: (A significant segment due to MD&M Minneapolis) seeking specialized materials, regulatory compliance expertise, and precision manufacturing partners for medical devices.
• Automation Specialists & Integrators: (from ATX Minneapolis) exploring robotics, control systems, and smart factory solutions.
• Plastics Processors & Engineers: (from Plastec Minneapolis) interested in new resins, molding technologies, and sustainable plastic solutions.
• Packaging Engineers: (from Pack Expo Minneapolis) looking for innovative packaging materials, machinery, and automation.
• Executives & Business Owners: Seeking strategic insights, market trends, and new business opportunities within the advanced manufacturing sector.

This concentrated and highly engaged audience makes the event an incredibly productive environment for networking, collaboration, and direct business development.

Unlocking Potential: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending D&M Minneapolis (and its co-located expos) offers a wealth of strategic advantages for professionals aiming to innovate and optimize their design and manufacturing operations:

• Comprehensive Sourcing Under One Roof: With five co-located shows, you gain access to an unparalleled breadth of solutions across the entire product lifecycle – from initial design and materials to manufacturing, automation, plastics, packaging, and specialized medical device production.
• Discover Cutting-Edge Technologies: Witness live demonstrations of the latest machinery, software, robotics, 3D printing, and smart factory solutions. See these innovations in action and understand their practical applications for your business.
• Unrivaled Networking Opportunities: Connect face-to-face with thousands of peers, industry leaders, potential suppliers, and strategic partners. Build valuable relationships that can lead to new projects, collaborations, and career advancement.
• Actionable Educational Insights: Benefit from an extensive conference program and free on-floor educational sessions. Learn about best practices, emerging trends, regulatory updates (especially crucial for medical devices), and strategies for improving efficiency and competitiveness. Topics often include AI in manufacturing, sustainable practices, and human factors in design.
• Solve Complex Challenges: Bring your specific design and manufacturing hurdles to the experts on the show floor. Discuss solutions, gain insights from peers, and discover new approaches to your most pressing operational issues.
• Cost & Time Efficiency: By consolidating your sourcing and learning efforts into a single, focused event, you can efficiently evaluate technologies, compare options, and make informed purchasing decisions, saving significant travel time and costs.
• Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Get a direct pulse on the future of manufacturing, including advancements in additive manufacturing for medical applications, robotics, digital health, and sustainable practices.
• Inspiring Innovations: Be immersed in an environment of creativity and ingenuity, seeing how groundbreaking designs and manufacturing breakthroughs are transforming various industries.

Your Minneapolis Base: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Stay

Minneapolis offers a wide selection of hotels, particularly in the downtown area, which is highly convenient to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Many hotels are within comfortable walking distance or a short ride via the city’s skyway system (enclosed pedestrian walkways connecting buildings) or public transportation.

Some popular and convenient hotel options near the Minneapolis Convention Center include:

• Hilton Minneapolis: Often connected to the convention center via a skyway, providing maximum convenience. It’s a large, full-service hotel.
• Hyatt Regency Minneapolis: Another major convention hotel, located very close to the convention center.
• Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Downtown: Offers comfortable lodging with amenities, typically a short walk or quick skyway connection away.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis-Dwtn (Conv Ctr) by IHG: A straightforward option offering complimentary breakfast, very close to the convention center.
• Millennium Minneapolis: Offers upscale rooms and amenities, also within walking distance.
• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown: Provides suite-style accommodations, suitable for those desiring more space.
• The Marquette Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton: A more upscale option in downtown Minneapolis, also easily accessible.

Given that Minneapolis is a popular destination for conventions, especially during large events like Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis, it is highly recommended to book your hotel accommodations well in advance to ensure availability and secure the best rates. Exploring options through the official event housing block (if provided by the organizers) is often a good strategy for securing discounted rates.

Engineer Your Success at D&M Minneapolis!

The D&M Minneapolis event, as part of Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis, is the indispensable annual convergence for anyone passionate about driving innovation in product design and manufacturing in the Midwest. It’s where cutting-edge technologies are unveiled, vital industry insights are shared, and the powerful collaborations that accelerate product development and optimize production are forged. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to deepen your expertise, discover the latest solutions, and ensure your business remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

To learn more and secure your attendance at the next D&M Minneapolis, visit: www.mdmmidwest.com