6/21/2013 1:00:00 AM
HEADLINES
Total registration and booth numbers were up for the 4th Fastener Tech.
The Mid-West Fastener Association reported total registration of 1,526 – up from 1,049 in 2011.
There were 147 companies totaling 152 booths – up from 117 booths / 112 companies in 2011.
The June 11-12, 2013, trade show was held at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Registration numbers do not include the co-located surface finishing and mold manufacturing trade shows.
The schedule included both Fastener Industry Coalition and National Fastener Distributors Association meetings.
• Exhibitor comments generally were positive about opening day aisle traffic, but questioned the need for a second day of the trade show.
• The Coalition and exhibitors talked openly about an industry wide trade show to fund association programs. Several participants expressed interest in continuing the biennial Chicago-based show with other locations in even-numbered years.
• This year MWFA will top $500,000 in scholarships.
Fastener Tech is sponsored by the Mid-West Fastener Association and Fastener Technology International magazine.
MWFA will hold its annual Table Top show and 62nd annual golf outing June 24-25, 2014. The next biennial Fastener Tech is scheduled June 8-10, 2015.
For Fastener Tech information contact MWFA executive director Nancy Rich. Tel: 847 438-8338 or 800 753-8338 Email: mwfa@Ameritech.net
Fastener Tech 13 exhibitor comments:
“Good show,” declared one exhibitor at most fastener trade shows. “Biennial works for us too.”
“I thought it was pretty good,” declared another. “Best ‘regional show’ I’ve done.
Several exhibitors commented that the National Fastener Distributors meeting “that was a plus.”
“The coordination of the show with the subsequent NFDA meeting was a good idea.”
“We felt it was a very good show, especially the first day.”
“Chicago is a good place since it is so central and I like June since it is six months away from STAFDA.”
“I would say it (Fastener Tech) could give the National Industrial Fastener Show a run for their money.” (The next NIFS will be October 23-25, 2013, in Las Vegas)
“I thought it was well attended on Tuesday. There were consistent crowds through our booth area all day.”
Multiple exhibitors complained about second day traffic.
“Pretty good attendance on Tuesday pretty much all day,” one exhibitor reflected.
“Wednesday was dead.”
He suggested scheduling the NFDA at the beginning – “more like STAFDA does it,” he said in reference to the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association starting sessions ahead of the trade show.
“The reduced number of booth visitors on the second day was disappointing, but we were still able to pick up some promising leads as a result of our participation.”
“They really should cut it to one day.”
“Nice job by everyone.”
Several commented on the variety of educational programs connected to the show. One suggested that a large-attended session was “dominated by advertising rather than substance and I hope they paid more for the ballroom exposure than I did for my booth.”
Suggestion Box
Several exhibitors encouraged associations to unite on one trade show, but at changing locations.
“Chicago is big, but why not one show in another region in even numbered years?” one Fastener Tech exhibitor asked.
“Maybe an international show in San Francisco or Miami?”
Fastener Tech “needs to travel to get broader geographical appeal if it wants to be a national show.”
“It’s simple – either do what it takes to get distributors at the show on the second day or make it a one-day event.”
“Our repeat customers don’t accept excuses if we don’t have what they need in inventory. The shows should not make excuses for being empty on the second day.”
“The shows should change locations to bring in more distributors. We want to see more than Midwestern distributors.”
“I believe that our industry can support only one national show,” one exhibitor commented. “If we want to best serve the industry, the second show should rotate around to different regions and it will gain more exposure. I believe that one full day is also sufficient for a show of this size.”
• Badges: Names and companies on name badges need to be readable, one exhibitor pointed out. “From the booth, you want to be able to see the company when the distributor is walking the aisle.” ©2013 GlobalFastenerNews.com
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