AHMA Readies Manufacturers for Global Marketplace With AHMA/USA Pavilion at 2008 International Hardware Fair / Practical World.

AHMA and Koelnmesse to Unify American Exhibitors in AHMA/USA Pavilion

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) will again give manufacturers of hardware and home improvement products the opportunity to launch, exhibit and promote new products and services to the world when they participate in the 2008 AHMA/USA Pavilion at the International Hardware Fair / Practical World (IHW) in Cologne, Germany, scheduled for March 9 - 12, 2008.

The AHMA/USA Pavilion, with a highly prominent location in Halle 4.2 of the Koelnmesse, is a 13,000-square-foot Pavilion which will showcase innovative and new products and services from over 60 AHMA members. "The AHMA/USA Pavilion at International Hardware Fair gives brand equity strength to our members by housing them all together under one roof," said Timothy S. Farrell, AHMA's president and chief executive officer. "This is a unique opportunity for our members to be exposed to 75,000 trade visitors from over 140 countries, in a single setting, at a highly-prominent location. With 3,500 exhibitors from 58 countries on display, this truly is a worldwide opportunity for our members to be a part of." The show itself, billed as the world's largest trade show for the hardware industry, covers more than 2,744,000 square feet of exhibition space in the Koelnmesse fair grounds.

In addition to conducting global sales, the AHMA/USA Pavilion also provides hardware and home improvement manufacturers global sourcing opportunities. "We know that global sourcing can help U.S. companies reduce their costs, and that a large portion of attendees at IHW are responsible for making purchasing and procurement decisions, so global sourcing is an important element of IHW," said Farrell.

Designed to offer turnkey services to participating members, AHMA provides comprehensive trade show services and expertise at IHW so that exhibiting companies in the Pavilion don't have to deal with the day-to-day issues and challenges of exhibiting at a trade show in a foreign country. All logistics, including booth space reservation, furniture, signage, stand construction, freight coordination, hotel booking assistance and pre-show and on-site services are all coordinated by AHMA. Additional services exclusive to the AHMA/USA Pavilion are a Business Center and Lounge for participating members and guests, booth security, interpreter services, and a special networking reception which traditionally welcomes over 400 manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and wholesalers to the event each year. There is also exclusive representation from the U.S. Commercial Service in the Pavilion, offering participants assistance on how American manufacturers can export products to foreign markets.

"We charge ourselves with making our members' foray into the global marketplace as easy as possible; whether this is the first time they are participating in the Pavilion, or whether they return year after year. Our members know this is the best ROI available to them, and with our 25 years of experience at successfully managing this program, we know we are offering the best services available for the best value on the dollar," continued Farrell.

While AHMA and Koelnmesse have had a long-standing relationship for more than 25 years, for the first time both organizations are forming a strategic alliance to promote and support a single location for American manufacturers through the AHMA/USA Pavilion.

"Koelnmesse's goal has always been to assist American manufacturers with establishing or expanding their overseas presence, so to partner with AHMA on its USA Pavilion program is a good fit for both organizations," said Mette Petersen, Koelnmesse's North American President and Managing Director. "The AHMA/USA Pavilion at International Hardware Show / Practical World provides American manufacturers with extensive services and high visibility, and provides one-stop shopping for trade visitors wishing to learn about and purchase products and services from American companies."

For information on the AHMA/USA Pavilion at International Hardware Fair / Practical World, please visit www.ahma.org/cologne.

About the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA)

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers, or providers, of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating and related products, as well as manufacturers' representative's agencies and trade publications.

AHMA offers many valuable member and industry programs, services and activities including the AHMA Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), AHMA Strategic Sourcing, AHMA Low Cost Country Sourcing and related supply chain / strategic sourcing training programs, AHMA Manufacturers Showcases, AHMA University, AHMA Executive Conference and Annual Membership Meeting held in conjunction with International Hardware Week([R]), AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum([R]), AHMA / USA International Pavilions, Government Relations Programs, Member Benefit Vendor Programs, Member Cost Reduction Programs, AHMA Hardware Industry Relief Effort (HIRE), and the AHMA / Habitat for Humanity Partnership.

For more information about AHMA, please visit www.ahma.org.