Engineers, maintenance managers and operators responsible for keeping critical rotating equipment running are being urged to take a day away from the day job this September, as the AEMT Conference returns with its broadest programme yet of practical engineering insight, technical expertise, and networking opportunities.
Taking place at the Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester, on 24 September, the conference is increasingly attracting not only electrical and mechanical repair specialists, but also the asset owners, manufacturers, and engineering professionals responsible for specifying, maintaining, and improving the performance of rotating equipment across industry.
With the exhibition almost sold out and set to feature more exhibitors than last year’s record-breaking event, delegates will have the opportunity to meet repair specialists, OEMs, technology providers and distributors from across the sector, helping end-users expand their supplier networks while discovering new technologies and services that can improve plant reliability, efficiency and resilience.
Scott Haslam, General Manager of the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT), believes the event offers a compelling reason for busy engineering professionals to step away from site for the day.
“Finding the time to leave the plant is never easy, but this is one of those rare opportunities where engineers can hear practical technical presentations, meet potential new suppliers and repair partners, and exchange ideas with others facing the same challenges – all in a single day,” he said.
“Many end-users only know a relatively small number of repair specialists and suppliers. The conference gives them the chance to meet a much wider range of companies, compare expertise and build relationships that could prove invaluable when critical equipment needs support.”
The conference programme has also expanded significantly, combining in-depth technical presentations with wider discussions around reliability, technology, business leadership, and future skills.
Dr Yali Natalie Fang, Chief Electrical Engineer at Sulzer, will explore one of the most common causes of generator failure in her presentation, HV Generators – Common Failures and Advanced Repair, sharing practical guidance on identifying and addressing partial discharge to improve reliability, reduce downtime and extend asset life.
Jonathan McNamee, General Manager of Hayley 247 Reliability, will challenge conventional maintenance thinking by examining why many condition monitoring programmes fail to deliver their full potential. Drawing on practical experience across industry, he will demonstrate how organisations can move beyond simply collecting condition monitoring data towards genuinely predictive and prescriptive maintenance strategies that improve reliability while supporting long-term asset sustainability.
The growing influence of digital technologies will also be explored by Marc Vissers, Head of Marketing Communications Europe West at Lenze. His presentation, AI + BI = CI – From Data to Direction, will examine how organisations can combine artificial intelligence and business intelligence to transform operational data into better-informed decisions around performance, risk, and future investment.
Additional sessions will include an expert panel exploring how engineering businesses can attract, develop and retain the next generation of skilled engineers and apprentices, the latest updates from the AEMT’s Women in Engineering group and the findings of the association’s latest workforce survey, together reflecting the broad range of technical, commercial and organisational challenges facing today’s engineering sector.
Headline speaker Chris Boardman will complete the programme, sharing lessons from elite sport, engineering innovation, and business leadership to demonstrate how collaboration, continuous improvement and high-performance cultures can deliver lasting competitive advantage.
Beyond the conference sessions, delegates will be able to explore the exhibition, meet exhibitors from across the rotating equipment sector and continue conversations during an informal evening networking event, which is included within the conference ticket. The event will also welcome groups of students considering engineering careers, helping to showcase the diverse opportunities available within the repair and service sector while supporting the industry’s future skills pipeline.
Scott added: “Ultimately, this conference is about bringing together everyone involved in the lifecycle of rotating equipment. Whether you own the assets, maintain them, repair them, or supply the technologies that keep them running, delegates will leave with practical knowledge, valuable new contacts, and ideas they can put into practice as soon as they return to work.”
Registration for the 2026 AEMT Conference is now open, with further details available via the AEMT website: https://www.theaemt.com/ems-event-calendar/aemt-conference.html
Read other recent news: https://industrial-compliance.co.uk/category/news/
