The growing trend of “re-shoring” and helping U.S. veterans find manufacturing jobs are among the topics attendees will hear about during this month’s Fabtech.

Organizers of the Nov. 11-13 sheet metal works, ductwork fabrication and machinery show at Atlanta’s Georgia World Center say the resurgence of U.S.-based manufacturing will be a major focus of this year’s guest speakers.Meetings_IN

That fact will be highlighted by Cindi Marsiglio, the vice president of U.S. manufacturing for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in a 9 a.m. Nov. 11 speech, “Creating U.S. Jobs and Bringing Manufacturing Back Home.”

Also on the agenda: A roundtable discussion on efforts to match military veterans returning from tours in Afghanistan and Iraq with manufacturing careers. That event is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Nov. 11.

This year’s keynote will take place at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 12. Former Super Bowl champion and Vietnam veteran Robert Patrick “Rocky” Bleier is scheduled. His presentation will encourage attendees to make the most of their lives.

As in past years, Fabtech will also include a trade show, which should offer something for all attendees, said John Catalano, a show co-manager at SME, formerly the Society for Manufacturing Engineers.

“With 14 million pounds of equipment (and) over 500,000 net square feet of floor space, Fabtech 2014 will be more than 25 percent larger than it was in 2010, the last time the show was held in Atlanta,” Catalano said. “We’ve had record numbers of attendees at each of our last two shows in Chicago and Las Vegas because there is simply no better way to see new products and technologies than at Fabtech.”

Don’t forget that Fabtech also offers numerous educational sessions, added Mark Hoper, show co-manager at Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International.

“Beyond the world-class exhibits at this year’s show, attendees can add to their Fabtech experience by registering for more than 100 educational sessions and expert-led presentations,” Hoper said. “These sessions have become extremely popular, so we encourage attendees to sign up early if they are interested in learning more about the latest industry trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.”

 The full show schedule is available at www.fabtechexpo.com