Curiosity, Connection and Community at PTXPO 2025

On my flight home, I found myself jotting down all the little interactions I had over the three-day show — and wow, did they add up. Little doesn’t mean small. In this case, each moment sparked big ideas, leads and connections. So, I’m sharing this post-event recap as a reflection of the show through my eyes — an editor’s lens — while working PTXPO for MoldMaking Technology.

After 27 years of covering the moldmaking industry, I still walk away from trade shows inspired. PTXPO 2025 in Rosemont, Illinois, was no exception. In fact, this year’s event stirred something extra in me — an overwhelming sense that this show is becoming the place where virtual relationships become real, curiosity is rewarded and the community of moldmaking comes alive.

There’s something special about the energy at PTXPO. Maybe it’s because it’s still a relatively young show, so it doesn’t carry the weight of expectation that some larger, long-standing events do. Or maybe it’s because it’s laser-focused on the plastics and moldmaking space, so the audience is incredibly dialed in. Whatever it is, PTXPO is quietly and steadily becoming a place of discovery — for technology, for people and for ideas.

Community in Action

What stood out to me most this year was how fully the industry showed up for one another. Time and again, I watched people walk others over to booths where they knew someone could solve a problem, answer a question or open a door. That’s the community of moldmaking in action — generous, well-connected and always willing to help.

This spirit was visible during networking events and in the flow of conversations at the MMT booth. Louis Bowler of Die Sep, for example, introduced me Engineer Jacob Spoolstra and Process Engineer Nicholas Mueller – two young manufacturers from Kong, the dog accessory company. With no agenda, he simply saw an opportunity for connection and thought I could help them find the right resources to better understand injection molding. These two are sharp, passionate and absolutely worth knowing.

What stood out to me most this year was how fully the industry showed up for one another.

That same energy was there when Steve Hack of Alliance Specialties & Laser Sales brought over Liam O’Connor from Boyce Technologies — a new face in moldmaking with a thoughtful curiosity and a clear interest in learning more. Encounters like these captured the tone of the show: industry veterans making room for new voices, helping them get plugged in and keeping the moldmaking fire alive.

Let’s not forget the next generation of marketing leaders in this industry. Cavalier Tool asked me to connect its marketing and office administrator, Luke Geschiere, with a talented marketing professional I know. It was an easy task! At that moment, Murphy Forsyth from Zero Tolerance, who is also a new member of the MMT Editorial Advisory Board, zipped past with her phone in hand, capturing moments for social media. Now, we have two moldmaking professionals under 30 working together: Murphy is mentoring Luke, who, by the way, jumped right in the next day to interview people for Cavalier’s 50th anniversary celebration!

From Online to In Person

PTXPO also made it easy to turn online connections into real-world collaborations. Darryl Gratrix from Molded Precision Products (MPC) — who I’d known only from LinkedIn — came by in person and introduced me to his company president, whose team had just won an SPE Mold Technologies Division Award. Tooling Consultant Bob Gray (another LinkedIn connection) showed up with a clear desire to share his years of industry wisdom with the next generation.

I finally met Karl Anderson from Central Community College in person, after covering his work with Kruse Training’s VR tools. Jason Van Cauwenberge from Nota3D recognized me from MMT’s digital content during a bourbon tasting by International Mold Steel (yes, I said bourbon tasting😉), thanked us for our work and offered to help promote the value of 3D printing in moldmaking — beyond the hype.

It kept happening.

In the end, PTXPO 2025 wasn’t just a show — it was a gathering. A place where technology, business opportunities and relationships come together. A place that reminded me, again, that curiosity — about people, processes and possibilities — is what keeps this industry moving forward.

Technology, Growth and Inspiration

Tyler VanRee, president of Legacy Precision Molds, introduced me to High Gear, a developer of a no-code workflow automation platform. They discovered High Gear by stepping out of the shop and attending a local manufacturing event. I met CJ Garecht, of Midwest Precision Molding, who was part of a demo mold project at Sodick Plustech’s booth, which sparked a follow-up story idea about the complexity of their work and the skills behind it. Then Mark Scranton from Polar Pellets shared how they uncovered an ice-blasting supply chain issue, so they bought a pelletizer and now make their own ice. That’s problem-solving.

I caught up with Westminster Tool and its incredible growth trajectory. I heard Prodigy Mold has invested in new laser welding equipment to expand its service offerings. I also had a great conversation with Dave LaGrow of Maximum Mold Group about where they see growth and how they were inspired by our Axtra3D article and its plastic ceramic tooling material.

Then there was Dana Super of Kaiser Manufacturing who sought me out to introduce me to Michael Blickenstorfer from Rimon, a company based in Zurich that has developed a surprisingly novel yet common-sense approach to training using a GoPro camera and AI, which they installed at a few U.S.-based manufacturing facilities.

Wayne Daniel and Barry Nicholson, from Canon Virginia, revisited a conversation we started back at MD&M West about starting a new column in MMT focused on real-life shop stories. It was great to continue brainstorming how to bring those behind-the-scenes moments to life and spotlight the human side of moldmaking. I love it when a quick idea turns into something bigger.

A morning conversation with Mike Skaja of Mantle sparked talk about bringing manufacturing mainstream — maybe even recruiting a next-gen celebrity or two as ambassadors. It's a bold idea that could generate serious interest in the trades. We also discussed the vast grant funding available for education which many don’t know how to access — an untapped resource with game-changing potential for training programs. That same topic came up again later with Doug Pauley, Associate Dean of Community and Workforce Education at Central Community College.

Kenny Skar at Vincent Tool brought up the importance of getting students onto the show floor. That effort aligns beautifully with my recent visit to Electroform for a story on their partnership with a local high school on real-world moldmaking projects. A related conversation with Ron Natale at Precision Laser Technology revealed his strategy for increasing association membership — for example, approaching universities and colleges to automatically make them members, so when they’re ready, they have a network of new and seasoned professionals to help guide them along their careers. It’s a brilliant way to build a pipeline of talent and support.

Thank you to the moldmaking and plastics communities, for attending, exhibiting, speaking, sponsoring and supporting. This show wouldn't be what it is without you.

The MMT Booth Experience

A personal highlight for me was using PTXPO as a platform to connect attendees with members of MMT’s Editorial Advisory Board. These are my boots-on-the-ground contacts who shape the direction of our content with their experience and insight. Watching them interact with attendees and jump in at the booth confirmed what I’ve always known: They’re an extension of the MMT team.

Speaking of the booth — once again our Top 10 Reasons to Be a Moldmaker T-shirts were a big draw. I’m not exaggerating when I say people came to the show specifically to pick up T-shirts for their shop teams back home. It was a great reminder of how much personality and pride this community has.

Another fun moment was handing out the Mouldmaker card game, developed by a German professor and donated by VDWF. It’s a playful and educational way to teach students the moldmaking process. We attempted a few rounds during MMT’s booth happy hours. The camaraderie was real and the decks flew off the counter. Most were gone before the end of the show.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to team up with MMT’s marketing and digital teams to create some social media campaigns encouraging you to show off your teams playing the moldmaker card game and proudly sporting your Top 10 tees. Keep an eye out!

Celebrating Excellence and Giving Back

And of course, we can’t forget the team at Dynamic Tool Corp., MMT’s 2025 Leadtime Leader award winner — and our next-door neighbor at the show. They continue to embody what the award stands for: curiosity, commitment to training and a willingness to experiment with new technology and processes. Best of all, they share what they learn, which benefits the entire community.

Last but certainly not least, I want to acknowledge the continued passion of Don Starkey and the iWarriors initiative. This front and center booth caught the attention of many walking by. This moldmaking community-born charity supports wounded service men and women, and Don’s dedication to expanding its reach is inspiring and contagious. It’s yet another example of how this industry gives back, not just to its own, but to the greater good.

Until Next Time

In the end, PTXPO 2025 wasn’t just a show — it was a gathering. A place where technology, business opportunities and relationships come together. A place that reminded me, again, that curiosity — about people, processes and possibilities — is what keeps this industry moving forward.

So thank you to the moldmaking and plastics communities, for attending, exhibiting, speaking, sponsoring and supporting. This show wouldn’t be what it is without you.