The 2018 International Fastener Expo announced 5,000 attendees at the 2018 trade show in Las Vegas.  

The show reported “nearly 100,000 net sq.ft.” of fastener, machinery and tooling products and services.

IFE returned to Mandalay Bay Convention Center on the south end of the famed “Las Vegas Strip.” The 2017 fastener show was at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Previously the trade show had been at Mandalay Bay from 2007 through 2010.

The vague “5,000” number implies total registration is down. In 2015 the former owners of the then National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo announced 4,499 total registrations – with 1,248 being distributors.

Emerald Expositions acquired IFE after the 2015 show and has subsequently not announced specific figures. However, they announced increases totaling 26% for 2016 and 2017, which implied total registration at 5,669 for 2017. That would make this year’s 5,000 a reduction from 2017.

The 5,000 for 2018 apparently includes exhibit staff, distributors and other attendee categories. Previous show management gave separate figures for the different categories.

It is not clear if the 5,000 is total registration or actual people entering the trade show. Badges were scanned upon entry.

Instead of the traditional 9am to 1pm hours on the second day, the 2018 trade show remained open until 4pm.

In addition to the trade show, IFE featured 17 conference sessions beginning on Tuesday Oct. 30 and on the show floor on Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions included subjects of tariffs, Prop 65 and consolidations.

“Our attendees look to IFE, not only as a leader in connecting suppliers and distributors, but also a place where they get face-to-face customized education on topics directly related to and affecting their businesses,” Emerald executive VP Karalynn Sprouse said. “Giving our customers access to high level government officials, like Vanessa Sciarra (tariff speaker), is only one example of how we ensure that they are fully prepared for anything that comes up in the fastener industry.”

The next IFE will be earlier – September 17-19, 2019  – and again at Mandalay Bay.

Editor’s Note:  Exhibitor comments and articles from conference sessions at the 2018 International Fastener Expo will be in the next print edition of FIN. Articles will be posted online at GlobalFastenerNews.com.