MW’s Unofficial Guide to the Most Important Products, Services and Sessions at the huge IWF 2010 trade show getting underway August 25 in the heart of the South
What You Need to Know About the Show
IWF 2010, the largest show in the Americas for the woodworking, furniture manufacturing, material processing and related wood and non-wood industries is just around the corner at the Georgia World Congress Center in the heart of Atlanta.
Once again, Modern Woodworking is proud to provide readers with a quick reference guide to the massive show. Jam packed into this special section of the August 2010 issue, you will find everything you need to know about which companies are exhibiting, which companies and products have been selected as finalists in the prestigious “Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award competition, key products on display and highlights of the most significant symposiums and educational sessions.
While there’s a wealth of information available about the show from a variety of sources, Modern Woodworking’s aim is to bring you the key highlights in an easy to read format to help you make the most of your time at the show.
Attendance and the Economic Recovery
While attendance and exhibitor space took a dip this year versus the last show in 2008, the fact that more than 800 companies are on tap to exhibit is a testament to the an industry that survived the economic recession over the past two years and is poised to grow as the recovery process begins.
In a nutshell, IWF attracts industry professionals from all over the globe who are looking to inspect the latest products on the market and to discover products they didn’t know existed.
Look Who’s Coming to Atlanta
The massive show attracts management, production, operations and design professionals ranging from the smallest shops to the large plants, many of who attend to not only source products, but to discover new ideas, network with peers and learn from those who have already uncovered solutions to complicated problems.
From raw materials, to woodworking and processing machinery to hardware, supplies and finishing accessories, the newest products, trends and solutions for wood, plastic and other related material processing industries will be displayed, discussed and detailed.
Key Segments Represented
This year, exhibitors and attendees will represent more than a dozen key woodworking and related segments, including:
* Home Furnishings / Residential Furniture
* Upholstery & Upholstery Products
* Business, Institutional and Hospitality Furniture
* Cabinetry – Kitchen and Bath
* Architectural Millwork and Moulding
* Store Fixtures & Retail Environment Design
* Engineered Wood Products
* Commercial & Residential Remodeling & Building
* Closets and Home Organization Systems
* Countertop Materials and Fabrication
* Plastics Materials and Fabrication
* Machining and Tooling
* Software Systems / Information Technology
* Flooring
* Door and Window
* Designers, Specifiers, Contractors and Builders
Earlier this year, IWF organizers set up a series of industry microsites to help attendees identify the products and programs of most interest to them. The microsites, available online at www.iwfatlanta.com, each contain links to individual community pages where users can post comments, ask questions or view videos before during and after the show.
You’ve Talked to the Rest, Now Hear from the Best
Four symposiums and 23 sessions offer this year’s attendees the opportunity to absorb the knowledge needed to ensure business success as the economic recovery gets under way. As IWF puts it, “One idea, one solution, one connection is all it may take to change your business.”
You will find a breakout of the key IWF 2010 symposiums and sessions in the pages that follow.
MW and a Cup of Joe to Plan Your Show
Why not take a few minutes to grab a cup of coffee and review this special section on IWF 2010 in the all-new Modern Woodworking? Be sure to check out:
* Products not to miss
* The IWF Challengers Award finalists
* A comprehensive alphabetical exhibitor list with booth numbers
* The major symposiums and sessions
IWF 2010 will be held in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center, August 25-28, 2010. Have a great show.
