We spoke with a number of exhibitors during the four days of IWF recently and most companies reported being pleased with the way things turned out. Companies reported meeting new prospects, and some gathered hundreds of leads. Only once or twice did we hear the hoary cliche, "there were fewer people....but the right people were there..."
One exhibitor told us that companies will have to demonstrate a measurable value in their products to fight the price cutters. After the show, another commented that expectations were somewhat muted, but even then they had one of the better shows in recent memory.
Talking to attendees was also interesting. Many had stories of how they have had to be flexible in recent months to stay in business, and how some of their competitors have not survived the recession.
We ran into some of the companies we’ve visited in the past few years -- and most of them are doing relatively well in this recession.
Current E-vents
We also spoke with IWF officials after the show and they told us that buyer attendance was estimated to be 11,000. At the last show in 2008, there were about 19,000 buyer attendees. (Overall attendance, including exhibitors, press, etc., will be about twice the buyer number. It was 40,000 in 2008.) No rest for the weary: They’re already planning the next IWF, scheduled for Aug. 22 to 25, 2012.
We provided updates on the show on cabinetmakerfdm.com, on our social media site, www.sawdustsoup.com, via an emailed newsletter, and yes, even on Twitter.
During the show, we also announced the first-ever CabinetMakerFDM Woodworking Business E-vent, a virtual woodworking trade exhibition and conference that will be held Nov. 18, 2010. You can find more information on exhibitors and at Watt events. You can visit virtual booths, chat live with exhibitors, see five educational seminars, even talk with other attendees. And you can do it all from your home, office or shop – anywhere you have web access.
So, mark your calendar (virtual or the one on your refrigerator) for the next show, AWFS, July 20-23, 2011 in Las Vegas. And mark Nov. 18 this year to check out the first-ever E-vent. You can leave your shoes, and yourself, at home.