Who has made a difference in the manufacturing industry with foresight for the future? What philanthropic achievements catch the attention of today’s manufacturer? Find out at the inaugural NBT Awards Gala on Thursday, October 24, at Avanté Banquet Center in Fox River Grove, Illinois.

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® (NBT), the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International®, with presenting sponsor Amada, will host the inaugural gala. The charity event will celebrate and recognize individuals, companies, and schools that have made notable contributions to the manufacturing industry through their generosity and commitment to support NBT programs.

The NBT board of directors will present three prestigious awards during the event: the Power of Industry, the Impact on Industry, and the Future of Industry. You can help the foundation find these valuable contributors by submitting your nomination for the award selections. Your nomination will acknowledge your support for the top candidates of these awards:

The Power of Industry award recognizes an individual, family, or family foundation who demonstrates outstanding charitable responsibility and encourages others to take leadership roles in the metals manufacturing industry.

The Impact on Industry award distinguishes a corporation or business that has created a culture of philanthropy within their organization and has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the metals manufacturing industry through their financial support, leadership involvement, volunteer participation, and commitment of its workforce.

The Future of Industry award honors a school or organization that has created a successful summer manufacturing camp program which demonstrates a commitment to the manufacturing industry by exposing young people to manufacturing career options.

Nominations for the awards will be accepted through August 31, 2019. Finalists will be featured in the program book and granted two (2) complimentary tickets to attend the gala.

A highlight of the event will be the Metal Art Auction featuring pieces of metal artwork contributed by professional and student metalworking artists from across the country. Many of the artists use metal fabrication and/or welding in their creative process, and some have been featured in The FABRICATOR® or The WELDER®. Gala attendees will enjoy bidding on one-of-a-kind jewelry, sculptures, wall hangings, or yard ornaments.

Proceeds from the gala and auction help fund NBT’s growing summer manufacturing camp and scholarship programs. In summer 2019, NBT supported 130 summer camps that served over 2,700 students across the U.S. In addition, NBT awards scholarships twice each year to hardworking students enrolled in a manufacturing program. A total of 55 future manufacturers earned scholarships for the 2019 spring and fall semesters to help with their education costs.

The inaugural gala will also give NBT a chance to proudly celebrate two funding milestones surpassed this year. Since the foundation’s inception in 1990, NBT has awarded over $1 million in scholarships and over $1 million in camp grant funding, impacting more than 6,000 students and their families.

Individual tickets are $250 and include cocktails, appetizers, dinner, and entertainment. Premier sponsorship opportunities are available. Purchase tickets and learn more at nbtfoundation.org/gala.