5/20/2010
NEWS BRIEFS
NIFS/East Returning to Battelle Hall in Columbus for 2011; Adding Mill Supply Expo
The National Industrial Fastener Show/East will return to the hall where the show was first held in 1981 and is adding Mill Supply Expo to its name.
The maximum number of booths in Battelle Grand Hall is 219 on the main floor and 73 on the mezzanine – indicating show management does not expect the trade show to return its previous levels.
The largest NIFS in Columbus was 653 booths in 1998.
Larger shows are held in the full Greater Columbus Convention Center, which can accommodate about 2,500 booths. Battelle is attached to the convention center.
The upcoming NIFS/East on May 26 lists 69 exhibitors totaling 73 booths.
The 2009 NIFS/East was cancelled and there were booths 146 exhibiting companies totaling 162 booths at the 2008 trade show.
The first NIFS show was held in the then-new Battelle Hall in 1981 with 90 companies totaling 103 booths.
Battelle Hall opened in 1980 as a multipurpose ballroom with Rodney Dangerfield as the first entertainment event. Events this year include the Columbus Beerfest and an Eagle Scout recognition dinner.
NIFS’ Changing Plans
The 2011 show is a “flip-flop” for NIFS. Last year NIFS co-owner and general manager Jim Bannister announced NIFS/East would switch to an even-years only format to alternate with Fastener Tech.
Bannister justified reverting to an annual event when the All American Fastener Show was announced for May 2010 in Branson, MO. “We are forced to compete head-to-head with Heidi Volltrauer (Volt Industrial Plastics) who is producing the Branson event…and compete we will,” Bannister wrote on FastenerBlog.com.
Bannister then announced East shows “will probably rotate then from city to city using Columbus in even numbered years and other major cities (such as Baltimore) in odd numbered years.” But in another “about face” Bannister has now scheduled NIFS going back to Columbus in an odd-numbered year.
• Fastener Tech 11 is held every other year and is next scheduled for June 13-15, 2011, in Rosemont, IL – near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
• A first time show this year – All American Fastener Show – is scheduled May 12-13, 2011, in Branson, MO.
NIFS management is hosting a Battelle Hall tour for exhibitors on Tuesday, May 25, in conjunction with this year’s show. ©2010 GlobalFastenerNews.com
Related Links:
• NIFS
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