Global Fastener News

NIFS/West Numbers Up

John Wolz

The numbers for 2005 were up and it was the largest of the nine National Industrial Fastener Shows/West in Las Vegas but fell short of the NIFS records set during the 1990s in Columbus, OH.
Show management reported 1,409 distributors or 10% more than the 1,286 in 2004. And last year distributor registration surged 32% over 2003.

Overall registration was 4,873 or 3.4% over the 4.713 show management reported for 2004.
There were 540 exhibiting companies taking 621 booths.

The NIFS records remain 5,226 total registration in 1998; 1,753 distributors registered in 1995; and 653 booths in 1996. Those shows were all in Columbus.
Total attendee registration was 2,669, compared with 2,269 last year.

What the Numbers Mean Based on related shows that report “actual attendance” some 141 to 683 of the 1,409 distributors NIFS management lists were not actually present in Las Vegas.
That is because NIFS figures include advance and onsite registration. Advance registrants do not necessarily get to Las Vegas.
At Fastener Fair Stuttgart attendee badges were scanned at the door showing 48.5% of pre-registered did not actually attend the show. Since Interwire began reporting real attendance numbers five years ago 10% to 18% of those registering in advance did not attend.
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. fastenershows.com �2005 FastenerNews.com