TPT November 2007

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November/December 2007
Industry News
Following two thriving intervening shows in
Cleveland (2004) and Atlanta (2006), the
organisers of Fabtech and the AWS Welding
show have revealed the 2008 show will be
held in Las Vegas from 6-8 October.
With a larger show held every odd year in
Chicago, Fabtech’s sojourn to Las Vegas
is expected to take advantage of the city’s
reputation as a successful and popular
venue for trade shows.
Las Vegas hosts the largest number of
trade shows and has become one of the
top business destinations in the world. The
city welcomes over 6 million convention and
trade show delegates a year.
The announcement to take the show to
Las Vegas for the first time signals the
show organiser’s long-term plans to rotate
the event between the USA’s midwest,
southeast, and west coast.
This year’s Chicago event
in November is promising
to be one of the best ever
shows on record, and
should provide a great
launch pad for the 2008
event in Las Vegas.
Fabtech is co-sponsored
by the Fabricators
& Manufacturers
Association, International
(FMA), Society of
Manufacturing Engineers
(SME), and American
Welding Society (AWS).
It is the only annual North American event
dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum
of sheet metal forming and fabricating,
tube/pipe and welding equipment and
technology.
The organisers predict that around 20,000
people from around the world will visit
more than 800 exhibits at the Las Vegas
Convention Center. “Our customers
expressed interest in a West Coast
location for the Fabtech International &
AWS Welding Show several years ago.
Exhibitors wanted an opportunity to reach
the large number of metal fabricating
technology users located in the western
region of the US,” said SME executive
director Mr Mark Tomlinson.
“After much research and careful
consideration, we concluded Las Vegas
has the potential to attract a high number of
attendees that traditionally do not visit this
show when it’s held in other locations like
Chicago,” added FMA president Mr Jerry
Shankel.
AWS executive director Mr Ray Shook
supports the decision to hold the show in
Las Vegas. “Welding technology touches a
vast number of applications and vocations.
Many welding and cutting companies
have participated in other Las Vegas trade
shows,” said Mr Shook.
“We are excited to participate in a metal
fabrication show west of the Rockies,”
said Mr Burke Doar, vice president of
sales and marketing for Trumpf Inc, “No
other city in the US does a better job of
attracting exhibitors and attendees than
Las Vegas.”
“We plan to provide all of their exhibitors
and attendees with their greatest trade
show experience yet,” said Mr Chris
Meyer, vice president of convention centre
sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority.
Future show dates and locations for
Fabtech include a return to Chicago from
15-18 November, 2009, and Atlanta again
from 2-4 November, 2010.
Fabricators & Manufacturers
Association International (FMA) – USA
Fax: +1 815 484 7701
Email:
Website:
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
(SME) – USA
Fax: +1 313 425 3400
Website:
FMA gambling on success in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has
become one of
the top business
destinations in
the world...and
welcomes over
6 million show
delegates a year
❱
❱
› The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas should provide an interesting and
entertaining host city for all those attending the event in 2008
fi Las Vegas will welcome the Fabtech and AWS
Welding Show in 2008