Fabtech was good. My prediction is that next time Chicago will attract more Tube People again.

Now it's the time to get back to normal life again. After returning Fabtech it has been difficult to adjust to normal, because you guys are sending so much emails. I am afraid that soon I need to remove my email link and place it only after FAQ: Frequenty Asked Questions. It will force peole to read FAQ before sending an email.

I have something interesting to tell you. Ian D. Harris has send his Welding Article to TubeNet and this I appreciate a lot. In my mind he is one of the leading welding expert what comes to Tube and Pipe welding. I don't know any other person who is able to give such a clear article on Tubular welding.

It seems to me that Tube Industry does well in Europe and in Us. Asia is still getting up, and all predictions shows that the change has been made. For me, after living pretty hard recession time in Europe, I think that it's the turning point when the majority of people starts thinking positively. When you can hear positive singanls around you, it will effect to all.

As you know, Tube and Pipe industry is my playground and it was very interesting to listen what exhibitors and visitors are thinking about the show. Some days were slower than others, but my understanding is, that the value of the contacts was high. Also, if compared to the show two years ago it was noticeable that there were much more European manufacturers or their representations among exhibitors.

It seems to me that Fabtech organisers have growing interest in Tube and Pipe Industry. Is Fabtech going to take the same leading position as Tube Dusseldof has in Europe will remains to be seen. Anyhow, in my opinion at least, Fabtech Chicago is very good tube show in the US and worth of keeping in calendars.

I wish to express my best regards to everybody I had a chance to meet in the show. Your comments on the show as well as on TubeNet are very important to me.

See you around,

Juha Haapala