Page 8 - CMA PROfiles Fall 2017

CMA NEWS ROUNDUP AWFS FAIR

AWFS Fair

sees jump in Attendance
at this year’s
popularity AWFS Fair in Las Vegas
was up 17 percent

Attendance at this year’s AWFS over the previous industry’s behalf,” he adds. “In the end, a strong show is really
(Association of Woodworking fair in 2015. a benefit to the entire industry, and that is a great thing.”
& Furnishings Suppliers) Fair in Las Rob Howell, sales manager at SCM and 2017 trade show chair
Vegas was up 17 percent over the previous and board member, put the show into historical context.
fair in 2015. The show hosted 12,306 registered attendees and
18,457 total participants, including 683 exhibiting companies “Just to put in perspective how far our industry and this show
occupying the entirety of the Central Hall at the Las Vegas have bounced back since the Great Recession, we sold more
Convention Center. booth space for the upcoming 2019 show during our four show
days than we did over the course of 10 months following our
The show drew industry professionals from 67 nations around 2009 Fair,” he says. “That is a testament to the perseverance of
the world. the people that make up this industry, and it’s something we can

“This was the largest show our association has hosted since all be proud of.”
2007, in terms of both exhibit space and attendance,” says By the end of the show, AWFS had already received 2019 booth
Archie Thompson, national sales manager for Spectrum Adhe- commitments from nearly 150 exhibitors, which represented a
sives and AWFS president. “In addition, our association member- record amount of onsite exhibitor booth sales for the second
ship has continued to expand, with 461 current members. consecutive show in its history.
“Having a successful show enables us to do more for our AWFS Fair will return to the Las Vegas
members, whether it be offering new programs or increasing
our commitment toward industry education and workforce Convention Center July 17-20, 2019. Please
development or expanding our advocacy efforts on our check www.awfsfair.org for updates.

NEW TECH MAKING INROADS

Acuity Insurance published a blog post VR glasses and “move” around in a gaining acceptance not only for flooring,
about new technologies in the cabinetry computer-generated image, customers but also for furniture, cabinets, musical
industry, and we wanted to share a couple come far closer to what it will be like instruments and more. Wood plastic
of the highlights: when they walk into their new kitchen. composite (WPC) is also on the rise.
You can add touch to the experience WPC is often made from recycled
Customers have always wanted to by placing different materials in the material, which reduces waste for landfills
experience the space they’re planning, area, allowing the customer to touch and the need to cut real trees. Many
and increasing popularity and decreasing the countertop material and feel the WPC products can be ordered to size,
costs are bringing virtual reality (VR) difference between laminated wood, reducing the machining time within your
technology into the design process.
Corian, or granite countertops. shop. WPC can help you save money by
Companies such as IKEA and Lowe’s are New materials are also making their reducing tooling, setup cost and the need
now rolling out VR in their stores, and way into shops. This began years ago to add equipment.
this trend can easily be brought into your when environmental concerns and the To read the entire blog post, visit
cabinet or furniture shop as well. cost of solid wood items led to more cabinetmakers.org and look in the

By allowing customers to put on demand for new materials. Bamboo is news section.

6 PROFILES FALL 2017