As Qosina celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2025, I’m reminded of the early days of MD&M West, which I’ve exhibited at since its very first event in 1985. The first MD&M West show was held in a small ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel. Year after year, attendance grew so much that it spilled out into the parking lot under tents before eventually finding a permanent home at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s incredible to see how the show has transformed into the major event it is today.

I had already exhibited at the first MD&M show in Manhattan, so traveling to California was an exciting opportunity to step outside the familiar New York metro area and connect with a broader audience.

In those days, I carried our components to the show in Rubbermaid bins, just as committed then as we are now to providing engineers with the parts they need. We’d give out samples and have meaningful, face-to-face problem-solving sessions as engineers brought their drawings to the booth. These interactions were at the heart of what we did—and still do—helping to bring their ideas to life.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how MD&M West has grown over the years. It’s been an honor to be part of this journey, and I look forward to continuing to connect with the engineering community at many more shows.