SHOW NEWS: Majority of 2008 NIFS/East Distributors From Ohio; 75% From 5 Midwestern States

John Wolz

With a 50.6% majority of distributor registrations from the host state of Ohio alone and three quarters from Ohio plus four other Midwestern states, the attendee statistics back exhibitors who complained that the National Industrial Fastener Show/East is a “regional show at national prices.”
Exhibitors reported that according to NIFS registration lists, a total of 158 of the 312 distributors registered for the 2008 show listed Ohio addresses.
Michigan provided 32 distributor registrations; Pennsylvania 21; and Illinois and Indiana 12 each, giving the five Midwestern states a total of 235 or 75.3% at the distribution-oriented show in Columbus, OH.
Other nearby state distributor registration totals: New York 8; New Jersey 6; Missouri 6; Kentucky 6; Iowa 3; Virginia 1; West Virginia 1; Minnesota 0; and Wisconsin 0.
Actual attendance is not known as NIFS figures include advance and onsite registration. NIFS management does not use a verified attendance system and the show is not audited by an independent trade show quality assurance system. Show management does provide a list of registrants to exhibitors.
In a news release show management cited visitors – including manufactures, importers, sales reps and “others,” in addition to distributors – registering from 38 states and 12 foreign countries to counter exhibitors’ regional comments.
In the registration list, exhibitors can count 139 manufacturers in the 1,143 total attendee registration. A total of 59 or 42.5% were from Ohio. Adding 16 manufacturers from Illinois, Indiana 14, Michigan 11, and Pennsylvania 9 makes the five-state total 109 – or 78.4%.
There were 164 booths at the 2008 show, down from 221 in 2007. The NIFS/East record is 653 in 1998.
A booth at the 2008 NIFS/East cost $1,495 (premium $1,595), plus hundreds of dollars for furnishings.
Regional tabletop shows usually cost less. The 2008 Midwest Fastener Show in Chicago cost exhibitors $500 ($600 non-members) for a table and chairs. The price included a luncheon and the evening dinner/bash. The 2008 Southwestern Fastener Show in Houston cost SFA member exhibitors $395 (non-members $595), including furniture and post-show networking dinner.
The 29th annual NIFS/East is scheduled May 19-20, 2009, in Columbus. The 2010 show is being planned for Baltimore. For NIFS information contact show manager Susan Hurley. Tel: 614 895-1279 E-mail: info@fastenershows.com \ �2008 FastenerNews.com