DEARBORN, Mich., May 3, 2007 — Today, the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), cosponsors of the annual FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, officially announced plans to take North America's largest metal forming, fabricating & welding event to Las Vegas, October 6-8, 2008. An estimated 20,000 people from around the world are expected to visit more than 800 exhibits at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"Our customers expressed interest in a West Coast location for the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show several years ago. Exhibitors wanted an opportunity to reach the large number of metal fabricating technology users located in the Western region of the U.S.," said SME Executive Director Mark Tomlinson. "After much research and careful consideration, we concluded Las Vegas has the potential to attract a high number of attendees that traditionally do not visit this show when it's held in other locations like Chicago," added FMA President Jerry Shankel.

AWS Executive Director Ray Shook supports the decision to hold the show in Las Vegas. "Welding technology touches a vast number of applications and vocations. Many welding and cutting companies have participated in other Las Vegas trade shows," said Shook. "Now we will be able to fulfill their marketing objectives with our own event."

Las Vegas hosts the largest number of trade shows and has become one of the top business destinations in the world. The city welcomes over 6 million convention and trade show delegates a year. FABTECH Int'l & AWS Welding Show exhibitors are thrilled the show is heading to Las Vegas in 2008. "We are excited to participate in a metal fabrication show west of the Rockies," said Burke Doar, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TRUMPF, Inc. "No other city in the U.S. does a better job of attracting exhibitors and attendees to premier trade shows than Las Vegas."

The announcement to take the show to Las Vegas for the first time marks show organizer's long-term plans to rotate the event between the Midwest, Southeast, and West Coast. "We are pleased to welcome the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show to Las Vegas and look forward to a long-term relationship," said Chris Meyer, Vice President of Convention Center Sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "We plan to provide all of their exhibitors and attendees with their greatest trade show experience yet."

Future show dates and locations: November 15 - 18, 2009 in Chicago and November 2 - 4, 2010 in Atlanta.

About the Show:
The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show is the only annual North American event dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of sheet metal forming & fabricating, tube and pipe and welding equipment and technology. The event brings buyers and sellers together to foster the exchange of products and services.

For more information, contact:
AWS: Adrienne Zalkind (800) 443-9353 ext. 416, azalkind@aws.org
FMA: Jackie McBain (815) 227-8270, jackiem@fmafabtech.com
SME: Jennifer Dallos (313) 425-3162, jdallos@sme.org