Exhibitors Rate 2007 METALFORM Show a Tremendous Success
Quality and Buying Power of Attendees a Recurring Theme
CLEVELAND, OH-March 12: More than 4,000 metalforming professionals descended on Rosemont, IL, to view the latest equipment and applications in the industry at METALFORM, North America's most focused stamping and fabricating exposition and conference. Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from March 25-28, the trade show floor covered 92,000 net sq. ft. and was equipped with machinery and technology representing complete full-service operation-from design to post-production. Attendees were treated to live demonstrations of equipment, manufacturing software and actual parts production.
Showcasing more than 350 exhibitors, the exposition featured 148 companies with new products on display, many of which were being introduced to the industry for the first time. The show concluded with much positive feedback given to the show's sponsor, the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). "We've enjoyed a tremendous show this year," exclaimed Lance Curtis from Link Systems, Nashville, TN. "It's been one of the best shows we've had in several years, with very good quality leads."
Other exhibitors echoed these sentiments, agreeing that decision-makers were among the attendees. "METALFORM shows have been tremendous for our business-this year's show especially," stated Jim Landowski, Komatsu America Industries, Wood Dale, IL. "The buying attitude has been phenomenal, with the quality of the leads the best I've seen in years. We're coming back again." More success stories come from Blow Press, Guelph, Ontario, and Leifeld USA Metal Spinning, Colorado Springs, CO-both companies sold equipment off the show floor.
Events held in conjunction with METALFORM also met with success. The Educational Conferen ce welcomed more than 200 attendees for 21 presentations, and the Educational Foundation's Silent Auction raised more than $16,000. Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund grants to support industry workforce development efforts. Additionally, nearly 100 students walked the show floor on Student Day, which invites students and teachers to learn more about career opportunities available in the metalforming industry.
Other events included PMA's annual Awards of Excellence in Metalforming ceremony, and the first-ever Next Generation Leaders Day, which showcased the importance of the industry's future leaders. Activities for "NextGen'ers" focused on evaluating the latest technology on the show floor and meeting other up-and-coming leaders through networking activities.
Next year, Regional METALFORM heads to Birmingham, AL, from April 1-3 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Enthusiasm for this newest venue continues to build. Mark Hatch, METALFORM Exposition Committee member from Wintriss Controls Group of Honeywell in Acton, MA, explains, "We're really excited about next year's regional show. We picked Birmingham because it's really growing and we think it's a great place to be." Brian Gillespie with Plexus Systems, Auburn Hills, MI, agrees. "We're really looking forward to METALFORM going down south again," he said. "We're hoping to pull in a lot of transplants, and to seeing a large and diverse group down there."
For more than 25 years, METALFORM has maintained a must-see status, with the exhibits and conference reflecting the continually changing needs of manufacturers. Targeting metal stamping, tool and die, fabricating, metal spinning, roll forming, slide forming and other related manufacturing technologies, METALFORM is the one show for metalforming professionals. For more information about METALFORM shows, visit www.metalform.com.
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $41-billion metalfor ming industry of North America-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1200 member companies are located in 30 countries, with the majority found in North America¯in 41 states of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Visit www.pma.org for more information about PMA.
Precision Metalforming Association 6363 Oak Tree Blvd. Independence, OH 44131-2503
216-901-8800 Fax: 216-901-9190 www.pma.org
