Earlier in the week I attended the STAFDA show for the first time is several years.  I really enjoyed it.  The cost to attend STAFDA is much higher than the Fastener Show but it is different and probably worth the cost.  The night before the trade show began, STAFDA had rented out the Georgia Aquarium and members were served food there catered by Wolfgang Puck (I think) Catering.  It was really great food and there was a ton of it.  I have been to many aquariums and this one ranked among the best.  Very nice venue and I ran into a lot of people at the social.  I am not sure if the Vegas Fastener Show could charge more or even if they should.  But, the STAFDA show lasted several hours and there was a band playing and it was very well done.  In Vegas, the opening celebration is well attended and nice but I do think people are antsy to get out and go to dinner, gamble, go to shows, etc.

The show itself is preceded with an opening "General Session" complete with the National Anthem being sung and many speakers.  There was a session on the economy, which was interesting.  The president of STAFDA gave an interesting speech about how he sold his company to a larger company and then went on to work with another company.  I would imagine there are some people from the fastener industry that might have their own stories to tell.  People who sold to Questron, or Wurth or Supply Technologies.  So many people end up back in the industry at another company or at a new start-up company.  I think if the Fastener Show had a general session a speaker like that might be interesting.   There is a bit more pageantry at the STAFDA show.  They give out awards at the general session and a lot of people attend.  The show is different.

One other observation that I found interesting.  AT STAFDA, there would be aisles that were about half full of booths from just a single company.  Certainly, there are some big booths at the Fastener Show but at STAFDA, companies like Dewalt  have a booth that took up about half of the entire aisle.  There were several rows like that where various tool companies spread out their gear and really showed off their products. 

I enjoyed the STAFDA show a lot and hope to attend next year.  I believe it will be in Phoenix.  FYI, the speaker at next year's STAFDA show is going to be Sarah Palin.  Love her or hate her, you've got to admit that it a pretty big name to bring in to address your organization.  And again, that might be why the cost of the STAFDA show is more.  But, for what they delivered, I thought it was well worth it.   Executive Director of STAFDA, Georgia Foley, deserves credit for running a fine whow.

And now, on to Vegas.  I miss the round bar at the Paris but Mandalay has got its charm.  So, is the bar right by the Sushi restaurant one of the new fastener industry hangouts??  Please let me know where the new hang out is.  I'm still trying to figure it out.