AWFS in LasVegas

[rrich]

Moderators - If this is not the appropriate forum for this, please move it where it would be more appropriate. (Perhaps Woodies Jokes? AWFS was a joke this time.)


The AWFS "Fair" (Association of Woodworkers and Finishing Suppliers) runs bi-annually. Comparing this version with 2007 results in about a 50% reduction in vendors/exhibitors. The LVCC went to great lengths to disguise the fact that there was a lot of empty space. Perhaps 50% is a harsh estimate, but 2/3 the size of 2007 is a generous estimate.

In 2007 it took two days to see all the vendor displays. This fair I arrived late and left early.

While roaming the floor, the average space between attendees seemed to be about ten meters. I got the impression that there were more vendor personnel than potential prospects / customers.

I did purchase a router motor and router lift. I probably could have got the router lift for less through the net but the vendor is a friend. The router motor is about $20 less than available from any source.

Regarding other activities...

The hotel gave me $25 in free slot play. I won enough so that I took $22+ out of the machine. LOML had a lot of fun with that money. I think that we spent $40 and returned with $38 over two evenings.

We had a GREAT dinner at Dos Camino in the Plazzo. WOW!!!

We also saw The Blue Man Group (third time over the years) and had a really great time. There were times that I was laughing so hard that I was crying.

All in all, the AWFS was disappointing. Very little in the way of new products, too few attendees and just a real downer. It's the stupid economy. We came home a day early.

[Doc0055]

Seems to be a general trend. Supose the cost of going for the exhibitor out weighs the return.

We could also be the blame, we go to get bargians. And if we dont get them we don't return, resulting in smaller numbers to the show - then when the crowds drop off, so do the stalls.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers Scott

[rrich]

Agree, Scott.

The AWFS fair is really aimed at small professional shops to full scale manufacturing facility personnel. There are usually a few advanced woodworkers that want to make the leap from amateur to professional in attendance. While I intended to purchase because I knew that the people were going to be there, the normal attendee is not intending to buy. (I mean, you can't exactly check as baggage that $250,000 NCC router on the way home.) The pros attend for the management/business seminars and to see the latest and greatest.