SHOW NEWS: NIFS/East Lists 158 Booths Thus Far for 2008; Last Year Drew 221

John Wolz

The 28th annual National Industrial Fastener Show/East is likely to be one of the smallest NIFS shows in recent years. As of April 23, the website lists 142 companies or associations with a total of 158 booths for the May 21, 2008, trade show in Columbus, OH.
The 2007 show in Atlanta drew 221 booths with 205 exhibiting companies.
If the total number of booths by show time remains down and distributor attendance remains steady, the show could have a busier feel.
In the past decade, NIFS/East has ranged from 653 booths in 1998 to a low of 162 in 2002. In 2006, the last time the show was in Columbus, there were 185.
First time exhibitors from 2007 account for most of the drop. Of last year”s 205 exhibiting companies more than 70 were new exhibitors. Only 11 are listed thus far as returning this year.
Only 16 of the 2008 exhibitors are taking more than one booth.
Three months ago show manager Susan Hurley predicted “over 200 booths” by show time but more recently wrote that management expected the total to “approach 200.”
The trade show will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, following conferences and an opening reception on Tuesday.
Show information and registration is available online.
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