Fabtech 2000 in Cleveland is history by now. Based on the comments from the organizers, they let me understand that the Cleveland show experienced significant growth over the 1998 show (40% overall, but 69% in Tube & Pipe Pavilion). Attendance was up 10% over the 1998 Cleveland show. And, nearly 6 million pounds of equipment and product was on display (that's 33% more than in 1998).

Then about comments I have heard from the exhibitors. I am now talking only from Tube Industry point of view. Sheet metal and other stuff are not covered on these comments.

Those who have been attending Fabtech for a longer period knows, that the show used to be every second year. This has risen a lot of discussion about the increasing number of Tube and Pipe Show and the cost that it makes to the industry. It was interesting for me to see how this matter will be discussed after the Fabtech Cleveland show. It needs to be pointed out that people with extreme thoughts are likely to give comments more eagerly than those who are not able to draw conclusions yet. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments.

Fabtech is held in Chicago every odd numbered year and in Cleveland in every even numbered year. The comments that I have received are both positive and negative. One matter that must satisfy organizers is that everyone considered Fabtech as the most important Tube and Pipe show in the US. With this target I must congratulate organizers. Also majority of exhibitors gave positive comments about show arrangements and organizers support. Also FMA and SME received positive feedback for their support.

The matter that Fabtech takes place every year seems to clearly divide exhibitors into two groups. There are plenty of those who find it a bad idea to have Fabtech every year while nearly as many felt comfortable with it.

The same applies with show attendance and quality of leads. Practically 50% of those who have responded to me told that the traffic was good and the quality of leads too. Another 50% had an opposite point of view.

You can read the collection of comments from here. I have kept them anonymous for protecting privacy, but these all are real and coming from Fabtech Cleveland exhibitors. I have not selected or changed any of them with exception of some words that needed to be changed for keeping the senders anynomous. Feel free to send your comments too. I will post them to the list too and, of course, will keep them anonymous.

Interesting.

Cheers,

Juha Haapala