A Closer Look: MSI at the ACM Tradeshow
- Brittany Ciesla
- 5h
- 3 min read
This year, MSI attended the ACM Tradeshow in Hartford, Connecticut, the first tradeshow MSI has been a part of in more than a decade. Not only did MSI participate, but MSI sponsored the event as well, which added so much to the experience. Our President, Mary Leigh Enders, reflected on the day, offering a look at what stood out and how it impacted her on more than a business level.
The morning portion of the event was geared towards middle and high school students who were bussed to the convention center for a hands-on career-fair type of experience. This year saw more than 1,400 students, which was the largest turnout to date.
Many arrived with scavenger hunt cards in hand, looking for exhibitors offering specific capabilities, including special processes like those offered by some of our Clients who were also in attendance (you know who you are *wink wink*). Even though MSI does not work directly with aircraft parts, which was the focus of many displays, it was encouraging to see students genuinely interested in what we, and the industry, do. Each student who stopped by received a simple overview of MSI’s work, along with candy and pens that helped ignite conversations.
Although time spent with the students was brief, due to the fast pace of the event and the amount of displayers to see, Mary Leigh noted that the students’ questions were thoughtful and direct:
“How do you get into this as a career?”
“What experience do you look for?”
In short conversations, students shared ambitions ranging from engineering and machining to military pathways and aviation careers. The energy was noticeable, especially as Connecticut continues to invest in revitalizing the manufacturing and aerospace industries.
One moment that stood out to Mary Leigh was when a group of young women came through at the very start of the day. They looked at several booths, but ultimately gravitated toward MSI. Watching them engage with the MSI Team and ask follow-up questions was meaningful and "exhilarating" as Mary Leigh explained, particularly as representation of women in the industry continues to grow. One sophomore visited the booth once in the morning, returned again to discuss potential internship opportunities. For many of these students, attending the tradeshow was an opportunity they hadn’t had before, and for those who already knew their career trajectory, the experience seemed especially impactful. MSI also met with several colleges attending the show and curated conversations about possible career development collaboration.
The event also included a luncheon with exclusive access to listen to the keynote speaker, Richard Aboulafia, the Managing Director at AeroDynamic Advisory, who touched on topics such as the current aviation landscape and an analysis of key industry trends. This was a reminder of the broader context shaping our work and our Clients’ work every day.
After the luncheon, the afternoon offered time to connect with other exhibitors. MSI met new faces, reconnected with existing Clients, and had the chance to speak with long-time partners and vendors who advocated for our participation in the event. There was a strong sense of community and support that felt genuine, something MSI cherishes. Mary Leigh described it as a firsthand look at how different generations in the industry continue passing the baton.
As an event sponsor, MSI’s name appeared throughout the venue, in presentations, on signage, and in material distributed during the show. More than a few attendees mentioned seeing our name, which reinforced the value of showing up and supporting the event. That visibility, paired with strong Client advocacy on our behalf, made the experience even more meaningful.
In closing, MSI will be returning again as a sponsor, continue strengthening relationships, and support the next generation entering the industry.
By the end of the day, one message was clear: “See you next year!”
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