Advanced Manufacturing Night at Fluor Field to mark its 10th year

The annual Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Night at Fluor Field will celebrate a milestone anniversary this year.

The Greenville Drive, BMW Manufacturing, Michelin North America Inc., Fluor Corp., Greenville Technical College and Greenville County Schools will host the 10th annual event on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

AM&E Night showcases the manufacturing and engineering activity taking place in the region, according to a news release. Each year, AM&E Night welcomes, on a complimentary basis, thousands of K-12 students to the ballpark as the event is utilized to showcase the many career opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering, and “ignite the passion” with young people and their families to ensure the region’s largest and most innovative employers have the workforce they need for future growth and success, the release stated.

This year’s event will include a specific focus on artificial intelligence and its impact on companies in the region, according to the release. The night will feature the practical application of AI and show how Artificial Intelligence is transforming business and manufacturing processes.

“Our goal with Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Night is to continue to change the image of Advanced Manufacturing in our community,” said Craig Brown, Greenville Drive owner and chairman. “For 20 years, the Drive has been a part of the fabric of our community — helping spotlight and celebrate our community’s needs and all that makes us unique. When you talk to CEO’s in our region, especially manufacturing CEO’s, the need for a qualified workforce has never been greater. That was the genesis behind AM&E Night 10 years ago and why the event remains more relevant today than ever.”

Interactive concourse exhibits

AM&E Night will be filled with impactful and educational content relevant for all students and parents, including interactive exhibits on the stadium concourse featuring companies throughout the Upstate showcasing their latest and greatest manufacturing and engineering technologies, including machine learning, automation, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, 3D printing and scanning, and more, according to the release.

Confirmed exhibitors for this year include: BMW Manufacturing, Michelin North America, Greenville Technical College, GE Vernova, Greenville County Schools, Milliken, Fluor Corp., Bosch, Bosch Rexroth, Ryobi, Dodge Industrial, SC Department of Employment & Workforce, Koops and more.

In addition, for the first time, Accenture will participate in this year’s AM&E Night event with a concourse exhibit showcasing “Reality Capture 3D Asset Teleportation.” This unique exhibit feature will provide attendees with Apple Vision Pro devices to visualize manufacturing and engineering processes in an external reality setting.

“Our associates are always enthusiastic about Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said in the release. “AM&E Night provides a terrific platform for our BMW Scholars team to demonstrate the innovations in today’s manufacturing environment while also helping to educate and inspire youth and adults on exciting careers including robotics, mechatronics, and automotive engineering.”

Business leader panel discussion

AM&E Night will also feature a panel discussion designed for students and their families, according to the release. This year’s discussion will focus on Artificial Intelligence and AM&E-related career advice, and include the following leaders as panelists:

• Ulrich “Uli” Wieland, vice president, production control, logistics and material control, BMW Manufacturing
• James Olender, chief information officer — wind, GE Vernova
• Larry Miller, president, Greenville Technical College
• Dimple Desai, advanced manufacturing operations, Fluor Corp.

The panel will be moderated by Alex Estevez, venture partner with Accel Partners. New employees, apprentices and interns will also be available to answer questions from students and families.

Students will have the opportunity to join the “Young Innovators Club” — an incentive to visit all the exhibits on the stadium concourse to have a chance to win great prizes and experiences.

“This is an exciting event that draws students, parents, and caretakers into career opportunities as they participate in engaging activities and enjoy a beautiful night of baseball,” Miller said. “The students who attend are the future of our community, and it is wonderful to show them just how promising a future in advanced manufacturing and engineering can be.”

All K-12 students can attend AM&E Night on a fully complimentary basis. Tickets for adults start at $9.

Ballpark gates and the stadium concourse open at 5:30 p.m. The panel discussion in the 500 Club begins at 6 p.m. And first pitch of the Drive game against the Rome Braves is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

Click here for ticket information.