Trade Show Is North America’s Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating & Welding Event

DEARBORN, Mich., May 14, 2008 — For the first time ever, the FABTECH® International & AWS Welding Show is heading to the western United States to the world’s number one trade show destination – Las Vegas. Taking place October 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology.

Cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA) and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the event is expected to bring in an estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors. Thousands of buyers and sellers from across the globe will gather at the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show in Las Vegas to exchange products and services, network with peers, preview new products, problem-solve, and educate the industry on the latest technologies.

“The Las Vegas venue offers exhibitors the opportunity to reach new and expanded markets located in one of the strongest manufacturing regions of the country,” said John Catalano, show manager for SME. “Top West Coast industries include aerospace, automotive, consumer products, computers and electronics, fabricated metals and defense. The West also employs the largest number of workers in the welding repair industry, giving companies an opportunity to reach a significant number of potential new customers and contacts.

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First combined trade show will take place November 15-18, 2009, at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

DEARBORN, Mich. – April 2, 2008 – Four industry-leading trade show organizers have formed an alliance to better serve the needs of trade show exhibitors and manufacturers in North America from the fields of fabricating, tube & pipe, welding and cutting, metalforming, and related processes.  The show alliance between the three organizers of the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show [the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International (FMA) and the American Welding Society (AWS)] and the organizer of METALFORM [the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)] will result in a combined annual exhibition.

While the first official combined exhibition will take place in November 2009, the partners have agreed to a “soft start” at the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, to be held October 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. The Vegas show will include a METALFORM pavilion, displaying innovations in stamping technology. An estimated 20,000 people from around the world are expected to visit the show, which will feature more than 800 exhibits.

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DEARBORN, Mich., November 28, 2007 -- Hailed by exhibitors as "the best show in years", the 2007 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show surpassed attendance expectations and set new highs for number of exhibiting companies and net square footage of exhibit space.  The four-day showcase of metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube & pipe, and welding equipment attracted nearly 31,000 visitors from more than 75 countries worldwide, which is a 27 percent increase compared to the last time the show was in Chicago in 2005.  Attendees visited exhibits filling 461,627 square feet of booth space in the North and South Halls of McCormick Place to evaluate, purchase and explore innovative technologies and solutions.  This annual event is cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International (FMA) and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

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**Pavilion Provides New Resources and Unites Scarce Industry Professionals with Employers in Need**

Chicago, IL, October 15, 2007 – In response to a skilled worker shortage that continues to strain businesses across the nation, the 2007 FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show will bring real solutions to frustrated employers. The national Job Fair and first ever Workforce Development Pavilion will allow employers to meet one-on-one and possibly recruit from a pool of more than 9,000 welding professionals, a group that has been in short supply. The Workforce Development Pavilion was added this year due to a growing need within the industry for and array of employment service providers, including recruitment counselors, educational institutions and government liaisons.

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Show Job Fair Seeks to Encourage Careers in Manufacturing

ROCKFORD, Ill., October 8, 2007 - Area junior and senior high school students will spend a busy day at the 2007 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show in Chicago to gain insight into careers in manufacturing thanks to a program developed by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA). Taking place Nov. 11-14, FABTECH & AWS Welding Show is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube & pipe, and welding equipment and technology.

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Event Expected to be 35% Larger than 2005 Show

DEARBORN, Mich., August 20, 2007 — The 2007 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show returns to McCormick Place in Chicago.  Taking place November 11-14, it is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube & pipe, and welding equipment and technology.

Cosponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA) and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the event is expected to bring in an estimated 25,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors covering 475,000 square feet of exhibit space. Buyers and sellers from over 75 countries will gather at the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show to exchange products and services, network with peers, see new products, problem-solve, and educate the industry on the latest technologies.

Educational Programs

The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show offers a comprehensive array of educational offerings. Led by more than 100 experts, sessions emphasize industry issues and trends, management and developments in forming, fabricating, welding, and related technologies.

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NAM President Engler Says Event Will Be Great Opportunity For NAM Members

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 16, 2007 – The National Association of Manufacturers has joined as Industry Partner with the FABTECH International and American Welding Society (AWS) Welding Show that will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago November 11-14.

The show is North America’s largest event dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming and fabricating, tube and pipe and welding equipment and technology. It is sponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)). The show will occupy more than 450,000 square feet. Approximately 900 exhibitors and 25,000 attendees are expected to participate.

“The NAM recognizes the FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show as a growing event that serves a wide spectrum of manufacturing in North America,” said John Engler, NAM President and CEO. “We believe NAM members will greatly benefit from this alliance in 2007 and beyond.” Future shows will be held in Las Vegas in 2008, Chicago in 2009 and Atlanta in 2010.

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