52
NIFS/West grows into new venue
For the second year the National Industrial Fastener Show/West was staged at the Mandalay Bay
Conference Center, in Las Vegas. For this magazine it was the first opportunity to see how the biggest
North American fastener exhibition has adapted to its new home.
In 2008 the ‘NIFS/West’ relocated from the their markets. 147 importers were registered Cleveland, Ohio for two years.
Paris Hotel to the Mandalay Bay, from the category. Manufacturers and manufacturing, and A notable feature of the development of the
middle to one end of the Las Vegas Strip. The independent sales representatives, accounted Las Vegas show, no doubt facilitated by
first impression of the Mandalay Bay – both for an additional 676 registrants. Attendees, increased space availability, is the increasing
hotel and conference center – is one of scale, including exhibitors, represented 42 countries number of larger, feature stands. Brighton Best
which in a Las Vegas context is really saying from across the world. won a best booth award for its design,
something. The show, developing successfully The Vegas show continues, not surprisingly, prominent across the end of an aisle at the
year on year, had undoubtedly outgrown the to be dominated by North American exhibitors. heart of the show. Ifastgroupe, Heads and
Paris facilities, and had to suffer for several By our estimate there were around ninety Threads International and Maclean also had
years from the necessity of housing some exhibitors from Taiwan, mainly organised large-scale presences – as did Indian
exhibitors in adjoining rooms, an inevitably through Fastener World, whose president stainless suppliers Viraj.
unattractive prospect to the companies William Liao was inducted to the Fastener
involved. No such problem in the Mandalay Shows Hall of Fame this year. Many Taiwanese
Bay, where the exhibition hall clearly offers exhibitors, long standing supporters of the
further space for expansion. The net exhibition show, were integrated throughout the aisles.
space for the 2008 event was a little under Chinese exhibitors, of whom there were a
8,000 square metres, accommodating some similar number, were more concentrated on
633 companies in 818 three-metre square one side of the exhibition hall. Korea
booth spaces. The show guide indicates around preferred, as it as done for several years, to
130 new exhibitors compared to 2007. have a distinctive ‘pavilion’ housing around its
There is always a quandary for the organiser ten companies.
in the last few days prior to a show opening, European exhibitors remain
between relocating exhibitors in order to exceptional. Of course, many significant
consolidate stands and leaving the periphery European fastener businesses have US holding
of the show feeling ‘ragged’. Some stands at companies or counterparts, or established G.L. Huyett, regular winners
the edges of the show did end up somewhat distribution arrangements. However, one clear of booth design awards, as much for the
isolated but overall the single hall substantially factor in succeeding at Vegas is persistence. quirkiness as the scale of their design, opted
improved visitor traffic to most exhibitors. UK-based Precision Technology Supplies for Las Vegas glitz to enliven their booth. It fell
A total of 4,913 fastener professionals – the returned to Vegas this year having participated to Rotorclip to provide the only really visible
show does not permit user visitors - registered previously on several occasions. Director Andy evidence that the show dates coincided with
for attendance, of whom just less than 50% Knight was sure that a very successful 2008 Election Day for the US presidency.
were exhibitor personnel. Of 2,395 ‘industry show for the micro screws specialist was, in no The Las Vegas show differs in nature from
registrants’ 1,373 were from fastener small part, due to participation in previous its European counterpart. In Europe there is a
distributors, the majority supplying industrial, years and to constant relationship building in stronger tendency to spend longer with
automotive and aerospace fasteners. 164 the US market. He also felt that the current individual visitors, to discuss and negotiate
visiting distributors trading climate might have opened more US serious business. In Las Vegas contact is for a
selected distributors to the opportunities of developing shorter period generally and more strongly
construction profitable niche product areas. Also centred on networking and relationship than
as one headquartered in UK, Stainless Threaded specific business discussions, which are more
of Fasteners were ‘doing Vegas’ for the second likely to be part of the show follow-up or
year. Head of sales, Gordon Davies was quick off-show floor discussions. The result is a fine
to lay credit for the strong prospects year on judgement to be made about the scale of an
the groundwork of Gary Spedding, who exhibition stand and its facilities. Brighton Best
unfortunately died earlier this year. succeeded with a strong impact stand tailored
TTapdrive, from Sweden, exhibited for the to the style of show. It was well staffed with
second year and also confirmed that company personnel distinctive in logo-ed shirts
persistence was crucial in converting but business was entirely conducted standing.
initial enthusiasm into concrete business The result was a busy stand for most of the
prospects, particularly with a concept one and half day show. One or two other
such as the TTap drive recess. Italian larger stands often appeared inactive, with
representatives included stainless central areas relatively deserted. In reality the
specialists Inoxdadi and newcomer to periphery of the stands were often busy, but
Vegas, VSP Bulloneria. Israeli rivet few visitors were drawn into the heart of the
manufacturers Ornit are already established in booth. First morning, first day was, as usual,
the US, with office and warehouse facilities in frenetically busy. At midday, though, visitor
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