Fully Threaded Radio hosts, Brian and Eric were joined by John “Cool Hand” Butler and Matt Delawder in a round table discussion of this year’s National Industrial Fastener and Mill Supply Expo, aka, the Vegas Show. All four spent time in booths as exhibitors and each also had some time to walk the show. I think they brought up some very insightful things about the show and it really is worth taking a listen.
One common theme that came from their discussions was that maybe the show should be a little longer than 1-1/2 days. They mentioned the size of the show makes it almost impossible to walk through the entire thing in just 1-1/2 days. Also, the second day is often filled with exhibitors who worked the booth the first day finally getting to walk the show after being stuck in the booth on day one. And a lot of exhibitors have their own customers and suppliers scattered throughout the other booths.
The Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional ceremony was excellent and well attended. And I liked that it was done on the show floor during the show. But, that also took some people off the show floor for the hour or so that the Hall of Fame induction took place. On the other hand, maybe holding the ceremony during the afternoon kept some amount of people hanging around the show longer than they might have otherwise.
I think John and Matt did a great job and made quite a few interesting observations about the show. That being said, what did some of the rest of you think about this year’s show?? And do you think the show should be longer??
Thanks to everyone who came out for the show this year. We appreciate your support! The show will be two full days in 2017. We are also looking into a central location for folks to gather after hours. We will keep you posted.
And that, my friends, is straight from show management. Start planning for 2017 accordingly.
I kind of missed the Bourbon Room. Ran into a few people at Senor Frogs but it wasn’t like the Bourbon Room. Not sure what we will do next year. Someone should sponsor another centralized party the night after the show begins. Not just go running off to separate rooms. At least have a spot by around 9:00 or so where people can gather.
Thanks Traveling Salesman…It was a lot of fun this year at the show seeing you along with so many old friends. It is kind of a family reunion of sorts. Some of the people there you really only see once a year and it is really nice to catch up. Thanks to Eric and Brian for asking me to participate on Fully Threaded Radio with them as well.
TS, thanks for your kind remarks and some of your own observations! Happy Trails Brother.
As I recall, the Columbus show was 3 days. Plus a day to set up. The third day was collecting day for the people working the booths, going around the hall grabbing litertature and trinkets to bring back to the office (if you gave that crap to your kids, you’re pathetic). The gripe then was that day three was a waste, so much so that exhibitors had to be threatened to keep from breaking down early. But, that was Columbus, not Vegas. Big difference, in both the experience and the expense. Oh, the rooms are cheaper in LV, but who stays in their room? Yeah, I have to go along with the crowd that says 2-1/2 days (plus 1 to set up and then golf or gamble or, if you’re TS, go to church).
Amen, brother.
And I was pathetic at times when I had smaller kids. Heck, I could get my Christmas shopping done if I walked past certain booths enough times grabbing chocolate washers, $2 bills and bags of pistachio nuts. Plus those old “Lord Earnest” dolls??? My kids actually liked me for a day or two after I came home from the show.