The Fastener Show East is about a month or so away.  So, I made my hotel reservations for Vegas.  Don't want to have to commute too far for that show and it gets busier each year.  But, what about Columbus?  I know, I know.  "It's not what it used to be" I hear each year.  For me, I have found Columbus to still be a very good regional show.  In Vegas, I did not even get to all the booths.  There were so many people and so many vendors.  I know I did accomplish some good things but it was overwhelming.  At the show in Columbus I feel like I actually have time to stop and visit with customers and suppliers.  I also find that I have more time to take customers over to meet or visit with vendors.  You know, the old.."Come here, I want to introduce you to the branch manager.."  kind of visit.  That is really tough to do in Vegas.  So, I am still one of the fans of the Columbus show.

I saw where Barry Porteous sent out a note to the industry explaining how import prices are going up and he provided some specific information to support his letter.  It is interesting to me how he has become an industry messenger regarding what the industry can expect in the upcoming months.  I cannot tell you how many people rely on his information to go to their customers to explain price increases.  I know other suppliers (and not just other importers) that read his letters to their staff as though he is an industry prophet.  And he is!!  Please, please understand that I write this with respect and I am glad he does send these.  I just thought it was funny to see other vendors using his letter as a justification to consider raising their own prices.  In some instances I think they should send Mr. Porteous a fee for providing the industry this information and for acting as an industry spokesperson.  It is as though if Barry Porteous says so, it must be true and that is a powerful position to be in.  But again, I think it is great that he sends those letters and I wish some other industry leaders would step up and do similarly.   Certain individuals in our industry do have unique insights and it is good when those are shared.  I saw the gentleman from Nucor recently interviewed in FIN and thought that was inciteful also.

Last, but not least, is anyone else starting to see distributor business starting to pick up?  I think I see things getting a little busier and I hope it is not just my imagination.  Sure, some folks are still down in the dumps but I have called on a lot of companies that are doing pretty well or are at least seeing increased activity.  As I wrote in a previous note, has the recession already come and gone??  We'll see.  Maybe I'll hear more rumblings about this in Columbus.

And, really last.......can't we all gather at the second floor of the Hyatt for a beer the night before the Columbus show for old times sake?  Man, that was the best place to run into people and make contacts.  I found that bar area almost as good as I found the show.  The industry really still needs a good place to gather and share a beer.