Fabtech Cleveland brings optimism

Fabtech 2002, Cleveland, is over by now and it is the time to draw some conclusions where the industry in North-America is going to move. We all know that times have been rough - especially in USA. However, the latest winds of change have given some hope for the better times. My question was: Did Fabtech Cleveland bring continuation for this optimism?

In Cleveland there were about 600 exhibitors from which Tube and Pipe sector reserved 111 booths according to Fabtech Website. During 3 days show there were about 13500 visitors which is less than last time when the show was in Cleveland. Not a big surprise considering all what has taken place in USA - September 11:th worst of them.

However, I guess that the change for better has happened. The general comment from the exhibitors was that despite of the lower number of visitors, the quality of leads was good. Apparently attending companies can no longer afford to send teams of people to trade shows - instead they are sending key-persons only. From exhibitors point of view this is not necessary that bad case - they can spend their time more efficiently when concentrating to key decision-makers only.

From the organizers I heard also positive comments, like Mark Hoper, CEM, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), director of expositions and FABTECH show manager, stated: "This show was the best thing to happen to the fabricating industry in two years".

In my mind, this is true. Fabtech Chicago last year was taken place in bad time as we all know already so - apparently - that show became slow. After that, the recovery has taken time and when Fabtech Cleveland now took place, the first signs for the optimism were already at finger tips. I feel that Fabtech Cleveland has strengthen this optimism.

Cheers,
Juha