SHOW NEWS: Exhibitors: NIFS/West Busy But Not Too Busy

John Wolz

“For me, it was probably the best of the shows I have attended in Vegas,” declared an exhibitor from eight of the 10 years of the National Industrial Fastener Show/West. “It was busy but not uncontrollably so. We were busy right up until 4 the first day and I filled in day two with a booth full of vendors most of the morning.”
“I have to say that this year”s show was the best for us,” one Midwest manufacturer reflected. “We saw more traffic than in the past and I think the quality of attendees was present too.”
“The traffic was steady, but once again, the second day is for the most part a bust,” an Ohio manufacturer hedged.
“Good, busy, but too expensive,” summarized one importer.
“We had good meetings with our factories and customers,” another importer summarized.
Gone this year were the long registration lines blocking the entrance to the show. New self -service computers for badge pickup appeared to help reduce lines.
There were complaints about long lines for beverages within the hall.
Some complained about the narrow aisles being what one termed “impassable,” but that problem should be history when NIFS/West moves to Mandalay Bay Convention Center with full-width aisles next year.
STAFDA Comparison
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association held its 30th annual convention Monday through Wednesday preceding the Thursday/Friday NIFS trade show across town.
STAFDA reported that both the 6,100 registrants and the 933 booths were records. STAFDA attendees pick up badges at the show allowing an actual count of those attending instead of total registration.
“Both trade shows were busy,” declared one NIFS and STAFDA exhibitor.
“These were the best shows ever!” proclaimed another.
Because NIFS and STAFDA were in the same city in the same week, one exhibitor had suggested NIFS admit distributors with STAFDA badges, but show management never announced any reciprocity.
“Maybe they didn”t want the comparison,” suggested one participant at both shows. STAFDA”s schedule included an opening party and variety of buffets at the MGM Grand with the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Rat Pack impersonators, multiple workshops and speakers including keynoter Jim Collins, tech fair and free consultants and a closing party.
From small issues to the overall management, several exhibitors commented on the differences between the shows: “STAFDA is definitely more organized and professional than NIFS,” commented one who has exhibited at both shows numerous years.
“Why is water and soda $3.75 for a small bottle [at NIFS] while it is given to you at STAFDA in the same city?” complained one exhibitor from both shows. STAFDA annually provides free beverages on the show floor to encourage distributors to stay longer.
Given all the features STAFDA provides at a $1,100 booth price in the carnivorous Las Vegas Convention Center, compared with $1,600 in a hotel ballroom for NIFS, one participant asked, “We saw what the two organizations could do in Baltimore last year and this year both were in Las Vegas. Where is our money going?”
STAFDA exhibitors appeared to be more aggressive in marketing to attendees. One NIFS early bird distributor registrant received only two “visit our booth” invitations from Advanced Components and Telefast Industries.
STAFDA exhibitors seemed to spend more hosting evening parties. For example, Irwin Tools” party included NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray answering audience questions alongside his car #26, a racing simulator, remote control racing; an actual car cutting duel and speed gambling for up to $15,000 in products. Irwin gave away an International RXT truck and two motorcycles.
Suggestion Box
“I still think the first day of the show should be a late afternoon or evening preview party,” one multiple booth exhibitor requested.
Several exhibitors continue to ask for earlier fall dates for better golf weather.
“Never have STAFDA and NIFS in the same week,” one exhibitor pleaded with emphasis on the “never.”
“Work on keeping costs under control,” an exhibitor urged. Though booth and individual registration prices were raised, NIFS had announced the exhibit contractor, ACT Inc., would freeze prices for 2006.
NIFS” traditional color badge stripes previously allowed exhibitors to quickly identify distributors and other categories approaching. Last spring the colors were dropped for NIFS/East, causing numerous complaints. For the autumn show, a blue bar was supposed to identify distributors but exhibitors complained it wasn”t consistent. “I think the color coded badges should be reintroduced.”
Again this year some questioned the number of Asian manufacturers exhibiting at the NIFS. “Does NIFS qualify exhibitors in any way except paying money for the booth?” asked one U.S.-based supplier.
“It bothers me in general with all of the suppliers from China in the show,” one domestic manufacturer said. “Unless someone picks up the responsibility to educate the general public some of these Mom & Pop distributors will import some product directly that sooner or later will get us back into an FQA pickle.”
Exhibitors also complained about too many fastener trade shows. “NIFS/West is the only show we need to attend. Having two shows is not worth the time and money.”
However, instead of one show exhibitors face three major shows in 2007: NIFS/West; a smaller NIFS/East on May 22-23, in Atlanta; and the new Fastener Tech June 26-27 in Chicago.
This was NIFS” 36th distribution-oriented show and industry leaders again noted show management has yet to write a donation check for any industry cause.
Booth prices were raised again this year and every inch sold. Even distributor customers had to pay 25% more to attend. “Yet they can”t donate a penny from their profits for fastener education?” asked one.
“If they [show management] didn”t make a huge profit margin on this show, they are failures and should sell the show to someone who can. But they must have and they certainly aren”t showing any appreciation or industry citizenship.”\ �2006 FastenerNews.com