Book Early for Nashville, Las Vegas Events

John Wolz

Major media events in Nashville and Las Vegas this fall make it important for fastener people to reserve flights, car rentals and hotel rooms far in advance for the two fall events.\
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association schedules its shows as much as a decade in advance. When STAFDA set its 24th annual convention November 4-8, 2000, in Nashville, it couldn�t predict the Tennessee city would be the election night headquarters for a presidential candidate.
STAFDA officials believe the convention will be insulated from the international spotlight by being headquartered at Opryland Hotel, while Vice President Al Gore will be downtown.
The National Industrial Fastener Show/West on November 17, 2000, is in Las Vegas during the same week as Comdex 2000, which can draw 250,000 people, filling hotels, theaters, casinos, restaurants and the airport.
The one million sq ft computer show will be November 13-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
The 55,000 sq ft fastener trade show will be at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Booth space plus hotel rooms at Paris and Bally�s are already sold out. Show management has added room blocks at the Flamingo Hilton and Caesar�s Palace.
Fortunately for the fastener industry, Comdex speakers � including Bill Gates of Microsoft; Dick Brown of EDS; Michael Dell, Dell Computers; Carly Fiorina, Hewlett-Packard; and Larry Ellison of Oracle Corporation � are scheduled early in the week.
The biggest problem may come at show closing time as thousands of Comdex exhibit staff leave Las Vegas at the same time as the fastener show closes. There could be a line for cabs to rush to the airport right after the shows close on Friday.
In addition to Comdex, there are several other shows in Las Vegas that week which draw four-figure audiences.
First Come, First Served
The National Fastener Distributors Association and the Western Association of Fastener Distributors are sponsoring conferences in advance of the show.
General Colin Powell is the keynote speaker and the NFDA is welcoming nonmembers to its fall meeting.
�We strongly advise that you must make hotel and airline reservations immediately,� the NFDA urged those planning to attend any of the fastener industry events in Las Vegas. The NFDA noted that �although there are more hotel rooms in Vegas than any other city in the world, they will be hard pressed to handle the more than 250,000 Comdex attendees.�
Even for those buying the $275 super badge, space at the Powell speech and NFDA and WAFD conferences is on a first come, first served basis. Breakout sessions are limited to 75 people.
Advice from a Las Vegas Distributor
Locals know not to go near �The Strip� during Comdex, a Las Vegas fastener distributor told FIN. �When Comdex is here, you just stay away. It is brutal. It is very, very crowded.�
�It will be gridlock in terms of traffic. Plan for the extra time even to get across the street,� the distributor warned.
Broadcast traffic reports will be advising locals to stay away from the convention area, especially when Comdex lets out each day.
� Casinos always have slot machines for more people but even restaurants off the beaten path get crowded during Comdex, the distributor noted.
�Meals, entertainment � it could be tough,� the distributor grimaced.
�Anything that you can do in advance you would be well advised to do.�
� Bring lots of money for higher prices for everything during Comdex. �Like anything else, they tend to charge whatever the market will bear.�
� Having trouble getting a restaurant reservation? This is a time to call your �heavy-player friends,� the distributor suggested. �They can always get in.�
� If hotel room blocks are sold out check with room brokers.
� Don�t plan business appointments early in the morning. The distributor never reserves early morning tee times for out-of-town guests, because �they never make it� after an evening of the famed Las Vegas entertainment.
At other times Las Vegas is an inexpensive destination. �We actually have hotel vacancies most of the time,� the distributor pointed out. �It is cheap to get here, stay here and eat here.�
Anyone planning to visit Las Vegas can simply go to www.lasvegas24hours.com and check the convention schedule before booking a trip. The region�s meeting planners know not to book non-computer events during Comdex if they want repeat business.
Beyond the Comdex crowds filling entertainment spots and restaurants throughout Las Vegas, the fastener show is likely to be crowded too. Show partner Jim Bannister has predicted attendance at the one-day show will top 4,500.
In addition to anticipated record attendance, the narrower eight-foot aisles permitted at the hotel show rather than the standard 10-foot convention center aisles will give the fastener show a busier feel. And a new spouse/guest ticket will add to the numbers of people strolling through the trade show.
Despite the potential crowd problems in Las Vegas, there is an advantage for fastener people interested in seeing the latest high-tech gadgets. Once in Las Vegas they can attend the computer show too. Comdex information and registration can be obtained at
www.Comdex.com

Editor�s Note: For a complete listing of fastener trade shows worldwide go to www.FastenerNews.com and click on �Trade Shows.�
Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn.
24th Annual Convention
November 5-7, 2000
Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
Sunday:
7:30 a.m. to Noon, Tech & Consultants� Fair
Tech Fair Workshops:
8:30 a.m., Electronic Commerce/B2B Update – Steve Epner
9:45 a.m., Bar Codes & EDI Technology – Rick Bushnell
11 a.m., Web Strategies – Steve Epner
1:30 p.m., Distributor/Associate Rap Session and Rep Rap Session
6 p.m., Country Fun Party followed by Reba McEntire Show at Grand Ole Opry

Monday:
9 a.m., General Session
State-of-the-Industry Addresses by STAFDA president Marc Beerman and Danaher Corp. vice president John Allenbach
Keynote Speaker: Economist Barry Asmus
1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Trade Show

Tuesday:
8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Six concurrent workshops: Sam Geist, �Why Someone Should do Business with You�; Jim Harris, �The Learning Paradox�; York Mayo, �Tool Box of International Sales�; Mike McKinley, �Tools for Tomorrow�; John Monoky, �Sales Planning for STAFDA Distributors�; Tim Underhill, �Value-Added Selling.�
1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Trade Show
6:15 p.m., Election Night Listening Party

Deadline for discount hotel reservations: October 5.

For STAFDA information: Tel: 262 784-4774 or 800 352-2981. Fax 262 784-5059. E-mail: info@stafda.org Web: www.stafda.org

National Fastener Distributors Association
Fall City Meeting � Las Vegas
November 15-16, 2000

Wednesday:
7:30 to 9 p.m., Welcome & Networking Reception

Thursday:
9 a.m., NFDA Business session/breakfast
10 a.m., Breakout session with economist Jeff Thredgold.
1:30 p.m., Colin Powell presentation
3 p.m., Repeat of Thredgold breakout

The NFDA is welcoming nonmembers to its fall meeting.
Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For NFDA information: Tel: 216 579-1571. Fax 216 579-1531 E-Mail: nfda@nfda-fastener.org Web: www.nfda-fastener.org

Western Association of Fastener Distributors
Conference Sessions
November 16, 2000

Thursday:
10 a.m. to Noon, and repeating at 3 p.m.
Chuck Holmes: �Selling in the 21st Century�
Steven Clayborn: �Improving Purchasing & Sales Performance through Effective Communication�

Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Non WAFD members are welcome.

For information contact WAFD executive director Vickie Lester. Tel: 562 425-1721. Fax 562 425-0199. E-mail: wafdhq@aol.com Web: www.wafd.org

National Industrial Fastener Show/West
Show 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, November 17, 2000
Booth setup 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday
Dismantle 5 p.m. to Midnight, Friday
Paris Hotel in Las Vegas

Deadlines:
Discount hotel room reservations at Caesars Palace and the Flamingo Hilton: October 16
Advance order for exhibitor badges: October 18
Airline tickets for 21-day advance discounts: October 25
Advance order discount for electrical service: October 26
Advance order discount for telephone and Internet service, booth furniture, carpet, labor, etc.: November 3
Attendee preregistration deadline for mailing badges in advance (Ranging from $25 for the exhibits only to $275 for the super badge. Prices at the door are higher.): November 3
Advance shipments to warehouse: October 18 to November 10
(surcharges for shipments arriving at warehouse November 11-16)
Direct shipments may arrive at Paris Hotel:November 16

For information on the West show contact general manager Gloria Crase. Tel: 614 895-8348. Fax 614 895-3466. E-mail: nifswest@fastenershows.com Web: www.fastenershows.com