Exhibition News

“We had 2,040 fastener distributors, sales reps, and other buyers, specifiers and recommenders from all across America, plus 37 foreign countries, covering the globe, in attendance,” reported Susan Hurley, CEM, general manager. “Our exhibiting companies were pleased and the buyers were treated to a huge variety of the latest products and services.”
A full day conference programme kicked off the event, with many Expo visitors commenting favourably on the value of the educational meetings, programmes and workshops. This included presentations by the Fastener Training Institute, Manufacturers’ Agents National Association, National Fastener Industry Suppliers Financial Manager Network, Pacific-West Fastener Association, Women in the Fastener Industry and Young Fastener Professionals.

The pre-show ‘Welcome Reception’ was a huge hit with everyone. “The meet and greet poolside at Treasure Island was the best one I’ve been to in 15 years. The weather was perfect, atmosphere was awesome, and the food was great,” commented Shawna Clark, president of Big Red Fasteners.

Looking ahead, Jim Bannister, general partner, predicts that the Expo will experience exponential future growth with the expansion of exhibit space beginning next year, as well as aggressive marketing to a broader audience of buyers, recommenders, and specifiers of industrial fasteners, fastener production machinery and tooling, inspection/testing/packaging equipment, hand and power tools, plant maintenance and safety supplies, software, and many other items of interest in today’s marketplace.

The 36th National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo will take place 25^th – 27^th October 2016 at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas.

Emerald Expositions acquires Vegas show

On 12^th November 2015, Emerald Expositions LLC (Emerald), a leading business-to-business trade show and conference producer, announced its acquisition of the National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo (Fastener Expo) from the show’s co-owners - Jim Bannister and Mike McGuire.

David Loechner, chief executive officer of Emerald Expositions, commented: “The National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo is an attractive entry point for us into the industrials sector and broadens our end market exposure and opportunities. Fastener Expo aligns perfectly with the criteria we look for in acquiring new events – strong underlying market fundamentals, a ‘must-attend’ event with a clear leadership position, experienced and high-quality management, and an event that will benefit from the management and infrastructure of the Emerald organisation.”

Mike McGuire noted: “Our recent show was the largest and strongest event ever, with over 100 new exhibiting companies. Emerald’s scale and expertise should help take this show to even greater heights for both exhibitors and attendees.”

To ensure a seamless transition, Jim Bannister, who has operated the show since its inception, will provide consulting services to Emerald and will support Susan Hurley, who will continue to manage the event from her central Ohio office, now as show director for Emerald.

“I’m delighted that the National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo will continue to grow and thrive under the stewardship of Emerald Expositions,” added Jim Bannister. “To see how far this show has evolved over the past three decades has been amazing, and based on recent attendance trends, the future of the event is very bright.”

Corporate Solutions of Westport, Connecticut was the exclusive advisor to the sellers in arranging, structuring and negotiating this transaction. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.