SHOW NEWS: 2012 NIFMSE Numbers Nearly Identical to 2011

10/23/2012
HEADLINES
SHOW NEWS: 2012 NIFMSE Numbers Nearly Identical to 2011

Numbers for the 2012 National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo in Las Vegas were nearly identical to 2011. 
• Total registration was 4,246, according to NIFMSE figures – just 8 people more than 4,238 for 2011.

• The number of distributors edged up 7 to 1,260.

• The 770 booth total was 13 over 757 in 2011.

Show management reported the final total of 603 exhibiting companies. 

The 2012 expo directory – published in advance before some late booth sales – listed 596 companies with 769 booths. That compares with 582 companies with 704 booths in the 2011 show directory.

• The percentage of exhibitors listing foreign addresses reached 38.1% this year. It was 36.8% in 2011 and 35.7% in 2010.

No records were set this year. The NIFMSE total registration record remains at 5,629 set in 2007 and the highest distributor registration is 1,577 the same year. The booth record is 829 set in 2007.

• In NIFMSE numbers provided to exhibitors, there were 160 independent sales reps; 424 suppliers (includes manufacturers, reps and master distributors); 87 services; and 4 media.

• Registrants came from the U.S. and 39 other countries – up from 33 in 2011.

• Exhibit personnel this year outnumbered industry registrants, 2,311 to 1,935.

 

Exhibitor Comments

“Very nicely attended and we had some great meetings.”

“The show was good for us this year. Not many new faces, but we saw some serious inquires from attendees we already have a relationship with.”

“The show was ok at best. Hard to find the value to tell you the truth. Not sure about next year at this stage.”

“I haven’t met anyone new.”

“The show in Las Vegas was ‘decent.’  I expected it to be better given the press leading up to the show regarding increased booth sales.  We still value the opportunity to showcase our products and speak face to face with existing and potential customers.” 

“It was the best show ever!” one supplier declared. “Great buzz. Lots of leads. We’re slammed trying to get to them all.”

One machinery exhibitor said: “I’m not sure what the actual numbers are but I felt attendance was down from last year. I had many more leads to follow up on last year.”

“The show was good for us,” a major manufacturer reflected.  “We had many good discussions and meetings with current customers, which is our main objective.” 

“We thought the show went well.  Obviously, Thursday was pretty non stop, and Friday ‘died’ at about 10:30, which is to be expected.” 

“All in all, we made a lot of contacts, and had several good meetings.”

“Very good activity at our booth.  I was especially pleased about the number of quality conversations we had.  Some shows it seems you hand out goodies all day but don’t have worthwhile conversations; this year did not feel like that.  I also got to meet several customers that I’ve worked with for years, but had never met in person, which is always a pleasant surprise.” 

“The show continues to serve as a platform that allows us to greet and spend some time on the show floor with many customers and friends. That said, the most important meetings are held off the floor.”

One exhibitor found more senior management from the West Coast than fastener buyers.

“The absence of East Coast, Mid-Atlantic, and South attendees makes this less than a national show than it once was.” 

“The show was good on Thursday.”

“The show was bustling opening day until around 2 pm. – Friday was decidedly s-l-o-w.”

“For us, the show does not attract the number of distributors it once did. Many who stopped were our satisfied customers.”

Last year show management moved to October dates, after years of scheduling near or in conflict with STAFDA. One exhibitor declared October is better. “The sooner the better, to allow follow-up time before Thanksgiving.”

One exhibitor calculated the show cost her company $16,000. “Do the math per hour. So now, for an ROI, we need at least the $16,000 – not counting four people being out of the office.”

  

Suggestion Box

Several machinery people say they aren’t going to pay the price to ship machines to a day-and-half show.  Some suggested locating the manufacturing portion near the entry so it could open a day early for manufacturers only. “Show management could do it if they wanted to,” one manufacturer commented as he observed the hall space.

On distribution show days, many manufacturers must staff their own booths.

Several machinery exhibitors are using television monitors instead of shipping machinery.

“I do not plan on displaying any machinery so the 1 1/2 days works for me,” one exhibitor said.

• “Show management should bring back the Best Booth awards,” said one exhibitor who planned a different booth this year. “The awards encouraged creative booths.”

Among the eye-catching booths this year were a grass hut by Rotor Clip Company, Umeta’s Hofbrau, sofas to seat a dozen people at G.L. Huyett, Maine lobster giveaway at Chrislynn Threaded Inserts, Toyota race car at Carpenter Technology and Batching Systems Inc. operating a machine near the entrance.

• Numerous exhibitors over the years have complained about second day traffic. “Activity was good on Thursday, but Friday was a day better spent sleeping in, which is apparently what the distributors did.”

Show management should offer free admission on Friday, one suggested. 

Another exhibitor recommended a Friday morning exhibitor breakfast to allow them to visit the rest of the show, free of other attendees. “It would make the booths fuller with staff the rest of the second day and it would allow greater exchange between exhibitors. Maybe serve free breakfast and coffee at 8:30-9:30 and have the show start at 9:30?”

• Several exhibitors suggested alternative cities.

“Las Vegas is fine, but it gets old after a while – perhaps they could try Atlanta or some other city for a future venue.”

Another exhibitor suggested the expo be in Chicago.  “You have most of the industry within 300 miles of Chicago.”

Chicago got another endorsement from exhibitor wanting the show at the downtown McCormick Place convention center. “It would be kind of a cool change of pace for the big show.  There is so much to do in Chicago and it’s a large travel hub for the convenience of travelers in and outside of the U.S.”

One exhibitor suggested switching Las Vegas to a biennial show alternating with Fastener Tech in Chicago.  But the exhibitor expressed doubt NIFMSE management would talk about what is best for the industry.

Another urged organizations to get together and conduct an industry-wide show. “We wouldn’t be paying as high dues and we’d be getting more member benefits if associations owned the main show.”

One called for more speakers and /or mini-training sessions.  “It would be neat to see groups of similar companies come together and talk about common industry or technical support topics, locknut application suggestions for example.”

The next NIFMSE is set for October 23-25, 2013, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. For information contact general manager Susan Hurley. Tel: 614 895-1279 E-mail: info@fastenershows.com Web: fastenershows.com ©2012 GlobalFastenerNews.com

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