SHOW NEWS: New Convention Location Allows NIFS to Set Records

John Wolz

“It was like moving from back East to the wide open spaces of the West,” one show participant described the new location of the National Industrial Fastener Show/West.
After every inch of space being used in recent years, the new location at Mandalay Bay Convention Center was spacious enough to break decade-old records. There were a record 829 booths. The old record was 653 booths at the 1996 show in Columbus, OH.
Total registration reached 5,620, topping the 1998 total of 5,226, according to show management figures.

Many exhibitors and other show participants praised the move to Mandalay Bay, where all exhibits easily fit in one hall with spacious aisles, compared with narrow aisles and a main ballroom separated from two auxiliary rooms at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.
One exhibitor noted the “new location for the show provided more aisle room and accessibility.”
“I thought Mandalay Bay was a good venue with plenty of room and plenty of people.”
“This was perhaps the best show we”ve ever been to. If they were all like this, I would be a happy guy.”
“Nice setting,” one exhibitor summarized Mandalay Bay. “I was thankful for the wide aisles. It was a more businesslike atmosphere with more decision makers in the hall.”
“The move to Mandalay Bay provided benefits to attendees and exhibitors alike. Most importantly was the improved access to exhibitors in one large space. Overall attendance and show floor activity seemed about the same or slightly lower than the last two NIFS/West shows at the Paris Hotel.”
“We had a great first day. The second day was a total waste of time.”
“It was the best national show since the heydays of Columbus.”

The show also set some records that led to complaints: Prices were at all-time fastener show highs. Booth prices ranged from $1,695 to $1,795. At $209 the official NIFS host hotel “run of the house rooms” at Mandalay Bay were up 40.3% from the Paris hotel in 2006. And after jumping 25% last year the advance registration price for attendees was held at $50, but the “early bird” registration deadline was moved up a month, making registration 25% higher again this year for those signing up during September.
Prices on advance orders for basic furniture and accessories were up 6.8%. But the advance order discount deadline also was moved up, adding to the price for exhibitors ordering in late October.

Important for exhibitors is not just busy aisles but whether distributors were there wanting fasteners. “Attendees were exactly who I wanted to see customers and potential customers.”
Exhibitors were mixed on the second day. One termed the Wednesday turnout as “below par, very few people in attendance.”
Another said the 2007 show “was the best ever. I don”t know what it was, but we had action both days. We are happy with the results.”
“The strong point of the show is its ability to attract a large number of key players in the industry. Having all of these folks in one venue presents plenty of “face time” opportunities both at our booth and in more relaxed settings such as a luncheon or a dinner.”

Mandalay Bay didn”t please everyone. Many complained about the long distances to hotel rooms.
“I did prefer the Paris for the show as it was more in a confined space,” one exhibitor reflected.
Several exhibitors complained that the seniority system is being dropped for future show booth assignments. “I am not happy the way you will get assigned booth space in the future,” one declared. They speculated that getting prime booth locations may require paying for sponsorships or program ads.
One attendee said he is “still confused as to why there are fastener equipment manufacturers” at a distribution-oriented show.
Suggestion Box
Several industry leaders expressed delight that show management arranged a meeting room for the FIEG quality session (see Page 1). It was a “refreshing change” from 1998 when show management charged admission to the U.S. Fastener Quality Act conference and never donated to the legislative effort.
One insider suggested that NIFS management could demonstrate its support for quality and appreciation to the industry by underwriting a series of FIEG conferences in the coming year.
Higher booth prices combined with nearly 200 more booths in 2007 could have yielded show management an additional $400,000 in revenue. “If the 100-booth IFE [machinery show] can donate $53,000 to IFI programs, what can an 800-booth show donate to an industry quality effort?”
” “Don”t schedule the show to start on a Monday, which requires Sunday travel,” one exhibitor said of the 2008 schedule.
“Make the show 1-day or 2-days but not 1-1/2; when the second day is only 1/2 day, it is always a bust.
Another suggested the first afternoon be the “half day and have the opening fastener bash at the booths” instead of a separate ballroom.
” “Since the second day is a bit slow, why not make available a lounge area where exhibitors and attendees can meet.”
” With hundreds of more booths, “we would like to see a few more hours of “show time.””
“Now that it”s so big, this should probably go to two days,” suggested another.
” Attendees “should be credited for underwriting the opening gala instead of show management claiming credit. I paid $50 to get in here. It only costs about $2 to input my name in their database and mail my badge. We all paid $48 to have a drink at the party.”
” With hotel rooms at Mandalay Bay topping $200, one suggested management also book a nearby hotel at about $125 or less. “It might encourage smaller distributors to come next year.”
Several show participants noted they were able to find rooms online for less than the rates show management negotiated.
” Show management announced golf tournament proceeds would go to the Marine Corps Foundation fund for wounded soldiers. “Why not start a fund for those from the fastener industry who were wounded or the families of those killed? Let”s make sure our own are taken care of first.”

The new records and revenue should send a message to show management, one participant pointed out. Exhibitors complained for years after the show outgrew the Paris ballroom in 2000. “They would have set these records years ago if they had listened to exhibitors and moved sooner.” \ �2007 FastenerNews.com