Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 68)

Straight From The Show News, Images and information from NIFS/WEST Last month, thousands of fastener industry professionals ventured to the Nevada desert to attend the 11th annual National Industrial Fastener Show/West (NIFS/WEST). Held for the ﬁrst time at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center, the giant trade show featured nearly 700 exhibitors in more than 84,000 ft2 (7800 m2) of exhibit space. From an exhibitor standpoint, 2007 was by far the largest of the NIFS/WEST shows. Compared to 2006, the largest show before 2007, the number of exhibitors and total ﬂoor space, increased by about 30%. This growth in exhibitors was driven by the strong performance of past NIFS/WEST shows and the move from the Paris Hotel Ballrooms to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. At the new location, all exhibitors easily ﬁt into one exhibit hall as opposed to the multiple rooms ﬁlled to capacity at the Paris Hotel. The result was that in addition to easier access to existing and new exhibitors, there was more space for everyone to conduct business and ﬁnd new sources. I think most attendees would agree that the loss of the ‘Paris Hotel intimacy’ was more than offset by the improved conditions, for visitor and exhibitors alike, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Total registration, including visitors and exhibitors, for NIFS/WEST was announced at 5620, a 9% increase over the 2006 show. The number of distributors registering for the show this year was almost identical to the 2006 total: 1577 and 1542, respectively. Actual in-the-door, attendance numbers were not announced, but the general consensus was that the show was busy, productive and a worthwhile investment even though attendance growth did not match the huge increase of exhibitors. The overall feeling on the show ﬂoor was that the number of visitors was about the same or slightly lower when compared to the NIFS/WEST shows in 2006 and 2005, but some of this feeling should be attributed to the fact that the show was held in a much larger exhibition space than what was available for the last 10 years. On these and the following pages, you will ﬁnd news, images and information, straight from the exhibition. The show organizers gave out three “Best of Show” awards: Single, Double and Multiple Booth Award Winners. These exhibits are shown to the right and on the next page. My picks for this year’s most interesting exhibits in Las Vegas are shown on the last two pages of this article. Some press releases announced at the show are presented as well. Submissions for publication in future editions of “Straight From The Show” articles can be sent to me by email at mcnulty@fastenertech.com. —Michael McNulty, Editor Show Facts: National Industrial Fastener Show/West (NIFS/WEST) Co-location: none, stand-alone fastener industry show Exhibiting Companies: 684, two-thirds from the USA Total attendees: actual attendance not reported, but total registration was 5620 (visitors and exhibitor personnel), including 1577 distributor personnel. Dates: November 12-14, 2007 Location: Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, USA Organizer: Fastener Industry Shows Partnership, www.fastenershows.com Cycle: every year First staging: 1997 NIFS/WEST Best of Show* Single Booth Award Winner — Donham Craft, www.donhamcraft.com 68 Fastener Focus December 2007 http://www.fastenershows.com http://www.donhamcraft.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008

Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008 Contents Editorial Calendar Industry News 5S – Turbocharged Lean House Cleaning: Principles and Practices for Creating an Efficient Workspace Corporate News Mechanical Properties – Part 7: Strength & Ductility in Bending FTI Technical Achievement Awards — Class of 2007 The Heat Treatment of Fasteners — Practice Melt Shop Provides More Efficient Titanium Wire & Rod Production Spotlight On Simulation Comparing Preparation and Calibration Techniques for Ultrasonic Bolt Tension Measurement – Part 2 Future-Oriented Testing Equipment Wire Handling Roundup What’s Happening at the IFI? Product Showcases Machinery Product Showcases Quality Education & Training in 2008 Fastener Focus Quality Checks on Retaining Rings: Your Recipe for Success Straight From The Show: NIFS/WEST Spotlight on Plastic Fasteners Competence in Stainless Steel Pick More Orders in Less Time With Slotting New Fastener, Drive Systems & Insert Join a Proven Product Line ASTM Update on Fastener Test Methods – The Bolt Doctor Column Advertisers’ Index Classified Advertisements Editorial Index

Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.