AWFS Woodworking Fair Offers 'The Tools to Compete'.

With the AWFS Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair only two months away, Wood & Wood Products caught up with Skip Hem, chairman of the AWFS Trade Show Committee. Hem commented on the growth of the fair, the recent remodeling of the Anaheim Convention Center and the benefits of attending.

Wood & Wood Products: How are things shaping up for this year's fair?

Skip Hem: The Fair is on target to be our best ever. With just under 400,000 net square feet of exhibit space, this will be our largest show, and of course that translates into more exhibitors.

Pre-registration is running at the same rate as 1999. However, we always get a great number of people who register at the show. We have tried to alert the industry to take advantage of the early registration process as it costs less to register in advance. We have made it extremely simple for attendees to register on our Web site. All they have to do is log onto www.woadworkingfair.org and fill out the advance registration form. Attendees also can register for seminars and hotels online. We have tried to make it as easy as possible for all attendees to register for just about everything connected to the show on our Web site.

W&WP: The Anaheim Convention Center has been extensively remodeled since the 1999 show. What are the most significant improvements?

Hem: The Anaheim Convention Center has done a terrific job in modernizing the venue. For the first time one can stand in Hall A and look all the way to Hall D without any impediments. The attendees can methodically go from hall to hall without having to zigzag through the exhibit halls.

Access to lower Hall E has been improved dramatically. Hall E will open at 9:00 a.m. each day to give attendees an extra hour to visit exhibitors there. The new modern glassenclosed entrance to the convention center is very dramatic; attendees will see a big change upon arrival.

All seminars will be held on the second level and should be much easier for those attending these educational events to find their way.

W&WP: Do you have any special goals for this year's event?

Hem: In keeping with the theme, "The Tools to Compete," my goal is for this year's show to be a venue where woodworking companies can find the kinds of machinery, supplies and information that will enable them to become more efficient and competitive in their businesses. In addition, there are more than 40 seminars being offered to inform them of new processes and ideas for improving the way they run their businesses. The seminar program has been developed to appeal to personnel of small shops, as well as those of medium to large companies.

The Trade Show Committee of AWFS gave our show management company the charge of increasing attendance at the show for the benefit of the exhibitors, and also for the attendees themselves. This event is the largest woodworking fair in the United States in 2001. The networking opportunities are enormous for those attending.

I am also pleased that AWFS is continuing to present the Student Design Contest to showcase the talent of high school and college student designers. The interest of many schools throughout the country is very exciting. The student projects that win in several design categories will be on display in the lobby of Hall E. I encourage all who attend to visit and see what these future designers have created.

W&WP: "It's too expensive" and "I don't have the time" are two common excuses people use to justify not attending a woodworking show. Given the opportunity, how might you persuade someone of this mindset about the importance of participating this year's show in Anaheim.

Hem: We all know that the economy has slowed, and that in itself might give cause for someone to think that the cost of a plane ticket and hotel room is too expensive. But I would beg to differ.

I believe in times like these that you can't afford NOT to go to this show. Where else can you inspect, in so short a period of time, such a vast array of equipment and supplies that can help improve your company's competitiveness and efficiencies? In my opinion businessmen from large and small companies always have to look for ways to improve the value of their products in order to compete and remain in business. This show allows woodworkers to compare thousands of products under one roof in four days. I am confident that the cost and time spent attending this show will pay off big dividends in the long run for all who attend.