Global Fastener News

NIFS-East Distributor Registration Falls 26.9%; Booths Up 19.5%

John Wolz

Distributor registration for the 2007 National Industrial Fastener Show/East fell 26.9% but the number of booths rose 19.5% to 221. According to show management’s numbers there were 373 distributors registered for the May 23 trade show in College Park, GA. Last year there were 510. There were 376 in 2005. The record is 1,753 in 1995.

For the 27th annual NIFS/East there were 205 exhibiting companies totaling 221 booths. Last year there were 185 booths total in Columbus, OH; 223 booths in Baltimore in 2005; 209 in Orlando in 2004 and 260 in Orlando in 2003. The NIFS record is 653 in Columbus in 1996.

According to show management there were 109 manufacturers registered this year, compared with 153 in 2006; 64 reps (58 manufacturer reps plus 39 independent sales reps in 2006); 23 importers (29); and 41 others (96).

NIFS/East was held for the first time at the Georgia International Convention Center, just west of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Conferences were hosted by the Los Angeles Fastener Association and Southeastern Fastener Association.

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. Other recent wire and fastener shows which do report actual attendance show 10% to 48.4% of advance registrations did not actually attend. Trade show experts have estimated that frequently 50% of those preregistering do not attend.

The next NIFS/West will be November 12-14, 2007, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The 28th annual NIFS/East will be May 20-21, 2008, in Columbus, OH. For NIFS/East information contact show manager Susan Hurley. E-mail: susan@fastenershows.com Web: fastenershows.com
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