Our Founder Attended the Design-2-Part Trade Show!

Design-2-Part Trad Show Logo

Exploring the Design-2-Part Trade Show

To expand her knowledge of prototyping, product design, and part manufacturing, our founder, Angela, attended the 2024 Ohio Design-2-Part Trade Show. This traveling trade show is dedicated to encouraging American manufacturing and strengthening local manufacturing and design companies in every region it visits.

While Angela had extensive experience in product and prototype development, she was relatively new to the industry itself. As a lifelong learner, she seized the opportunity to attend the trade show, setting two clear goals:

1. Gain industry knowledge and experience—learning about the latest advancements in manufacturing and prototyping.

2. Build connections—networking with regional manufacturing companies to create a strong resource network for her clients.

At its core, AJ Mechanical Design helps entrepreneurs develop functional prototypes and prepares them for the next steps—such as patenting and large-scale production. By forming partnerships with trusted manufacturers, Angela ensures that her clients work with high-quality production facilities when they’re ready to bring their innovations to the market.

A quick peek into the 2022 Akron, OH Design-2Part Tradeshow

First Attempt at Business Trip Logistics

One unexpected lesson Angela learned during this experience was the logistics of planning a business trip. The journey from her hometown to the trade show in Akron, Ohio, was approximately 350 miles, requiring a five-hour drive each way. Angela planned to spend a full day at the trade show as well as get to Acron a day early to rest and prepare. This would prompt the need to arrange a hotel stay for one night stay at the Hilton Hotel.

Fortunately, attendance was free, eliminating ticket costs. However, travel expenses quickly added up—gas, food, and lodging made this a significant financial investment for a growing entrepreneur. Planning a last-minute trip also proved challenging, as securing affordable accommodation on short notice was more difficult.

The total cost for the trip came to nearly $707.71, a considerable expense for Angela at the time. On top of running AJ Mechanical Design, she was also a master’s student at Purdue University Northwest and works part-time at a startup called FiberX. Balancing the demands of school, employment, and entrepreneurship while planning this trip was no easy task.

This experience taught Angela the importance of planning business travel well in advance—budgeting for fuel, lodging, and food while making efficient use of time. Overall, Angela saw this trip as an investment in the future of her company, making the effort and expense worthwhile.

Making the Most of the Design-2-Part Trade Show

Despite the challenges, Angela made the most of her time at the event. She actively engaged with numerous manufacturers, collected a large stack of business cards, and expanded her professional network.

Angela focused on two main areas:

1. Manufacturers – To build connections and establish reliable partners for her clients.

2. Prototype Developers – To stay updated on the latest techniques and technologies in product design.

One of the most memorable exhibits featured metal 3D printing. This booth showcased an impressive collection of intricately designed metal trinkets, all created using industrial-grade metal 3D printers. Seeing these cutting-edge advancements firsthand was both inspiring and educational.

Another key takeaway was how many exhibitors used custom promotional products to highlight their manufacturing capabilities. Each company designed and produced unique giveaway items, showcasing their expertise in material processing and product development.

Angela quickly realized that these custom-branded promotional products were not just giveaways, they were strategic marketing tools that effectively demonstrated each company's strengths. Observing this approach sparked ideas that would later influence her own branding strategies.

Another step Angela embarked on to get the most of her one-day trade show experience was to attend an end of day networking dinner. This was a separate event held after the trade show to allow small businesses and attendees the chance to chat more casually over a meal. This greatly helped Angela in building her manufacturing network.

The Collection of Business Cards Angela gathered at the Design-2-Part Trade Show

A Hands-On Approach to Learning

Determined to absorb as much information as possible, Angela took notes throughout the event rather than spending time capturing photos. Armed with just pens and notepads, she listened attentively to company owners and industry leaders discussing:

• How manufacturers attract clients

• Their specialized production capabilities

• Emerging trends and new technological advancements

By the end of the trade show, Angela left with:

• A stack of business cards from potential manufacturing partners

• A notebook full of industry insights

• A wealth of knowledge to further develop AJ Mechanical Design

Applying Lessons Learned to AJ Mechanical Design

One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was the concept of designing custom promotional products to showcase a company’s strengths.

Currently, Angela is applying this lesson to AJ Mechanical Design. Today, she is actively developing her own line of branded promotional products to use at future trade shows and networking events. By implementing what she learned, she aims to capture attention, demonstrate expertise, and strengthen brand recognition—just as the exhibitors at the Design-2-Part Trade Show did.

Final Thoughts

Attending the 2024 Ohio Design-2-Part Trade Show was a pivotal experience for Angela. The event provided invaluable industry knowledge, professional connections, and strategic business insights. From learning about new manufacturing technologies to understanding the importance of business travel planning, Angela walked away with lessons that continue to shape her company’s growth.

Part of the growth AJ Mechanical Design has seen because our founder attending the Design-2-part trade show is our commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and helping small businesses navigate the path from prototype to production. Thanks to Angela’s experience, we are better equipped than ever to connect our clients with trusted manufacturing partners and provide expert design and development services.

If you're looking for a dedicated partner in product development and prototyping, AJ Mechanical Design is ready to help!