See the most recent exhibitor list on awfsfair.org.
AWFS Fair announced that several major machinery manufacturers that did not exhibit in 2009 will return to the Las Vegas exhibition in 2011, including Stiles Machinery, Biesse America, C.R. Onsrud and Weinig.
Angelo Gangone, AWFS executive vice president said that the association has been talking to these companies for a while, and began working out the details before the holidays.
"We anticipated that these companies would be coming back," he told CabinetMakerFDM.
Business picked up in the last quarter of 2010, and Gangone sees more evidence that shops are getting busier and the woodworking industry is coming out of the recession. "We're heading in the right direction," he said.
As far as making overall predictions about the 2011 exhibition, Gangone told CabinetMakerFDM that it's difficult to say how big the show will be since exhibitors tend to wait longer before making their decision on whether to participate. He is hopeful that attendance will be stronger than it was at the last show in 2009. Gangone also pointed out that the educational program for this year's show will be the strongest ever, and AWFS always tries to bring something new to each show.
"People are more excited about shows," he observed. "People's attitudes have changed." He said that AWFS also wants to recognize the companies that stuck with the AWFS Fair in 2009 and are also returning this year. "We want to show our appreciation," he said. "We're thrilled to have them back."
Exhibit sales reported strong
In a Jan. 25 statement, AWFS announced that exhibit sales for the AWFS Fair have picked up strongly. A large number of exhibitors are returning from 2009, including SCM Group North America, Thermwood, Blum, Hafele America, Timesavers, Salice, Planit Solutions, Grass America and many others.
AWFS Fair is set for Las Vegas July 20-23, 2011.
“The fact that many exhibitors have decided to return, including several that have sat out an entire show cycle, is an extremely encouraging sign for the industry,” Joan Kemp, president of AWFS board of directors, said. “Ultimately, those that will benefit the most will be our attendees. In the end, that’s what truly matters and we couldn’t be happier.”
“There are indications that 2011 will be better for our industry as a whole, and that we have collectively begun to turn the corner,” says Jason Howell, president of Weinig USA. “We are excited to be there for our customers, and we appreciate the opportunity that AWFS presents for us to exhibit with Holz-Her as the newest member of the Weinig Group.”
“We are encouraged by what we have seen over the past several months,” John Gangone, president of SCM Group North America, said. “Business has steadily gotten better and shops are definitely getting busier. We are looking forward to the AWFS Fair this summer, where we have historically met highly qualified attendees.”
“It makes economic sense for us to return to the AWFS Fair. We have missed participating in the major trade shows for the past two years, and we are excited to reunite with the industry in Las Vegas this summer," said David Rothwell, executive vice president of Stiles. "AWFS has been a proven sales platform for decades and we look forward to meeting many of our customers at the 2011 show."
Biesse America is also encouraged by the upward trend. “We have been long-time supporters and participants of AWFS. It is certainly the most important industry event for all of North America this year,” Federico Broccoli, president, Biesse America, said. “We need to be in front of the buyers who are looking for new equipment there is no better format for doing so in 2011 than this show.
“The wood products business is coming back,” Broccoli said “The U.S. economy is now coming back slowly. The Canadian market never faltered. It makes good sense for Biesse and others to exhibit at AWFS 2011 edition. We’re support the industry. We are going back to AWFS and will introduce and demonstrate several new products there.”
The hardware and supply sectors of the industry are encoyraged by the positive projections. “The AWFS Fair not only provides Blum with an opportunity to increase our product exposure in face-to-face discussions with our distributor and OEM cabinet customers, but in addition, the value of the networking opportunities it provides cannot be underestimated,” said Steve Regele, vice president of sales and marketing of Blum.