I don’t think I’ve ever said, “Let’s connect!” more times in a single day than I did yesterday, but there’s a good reason for that.
Yesterday marked a first for me: my very first trade show. That’s right, I was a total newbie. But I didn’t hesitate to make the 2.5-hour trek from New Hampshire’s Seacoast down to the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, CT for Design-2-Part one of the premier sourcing events for engineers and buyers of custom parts.
What makes trade shows like this so valuable is the opportunity to connect in person to have real conversations, ask detailed questions, dive into project specifics, and get immediate, thoughtful feedback. There’s just no substitute for being able to compare parts firsthand and hear about the latest technologies straight from the people who are building them.
But beyond that the best part? Networking. Design-2-Part brought together hundreds of American suppliers, covering more than 300 manufacturing categories from CNC machining and 3D printing to injection molding, electronics, and castings. If you’re looking for something specific, odds are good you’ll find it here and you’ll meet the experts behind it.
Many of the folks we spoke with were based right here in New England, which was a huge bonus for us. Local sourcing often means faster turnaround and stronger relationships. It’s a win-win.
We went in with a few specific needs for upcoming projects: a hard-to-find closed extrusion for a customer request, a rubber seal we’d been struggling to source, and some troubleshooting help with a nanomotor that was giving our controls team a headache earlier that morning (always fun!). The best part about events like this is that you can bring your real-world problems to the table and walk away with real-world solutions, sometimes even ideas that completely reframe your approach.
By the end of the day, we’d checked every box, made some fantastic new connections, and even had a chance to share more about our automation services and custom equipment. We drove back to the Free State with tired feet, a stack of business cards, and a lot to follow up on.
We’re already planning our trip back for Design-2-Part 2026. Hope to see you there!