All Numbers Swell at Anaheim.

With an expanded exhibitor base, a record pre-registration attendance and a renovated convention center, the AWES Fair promises to be the biggest in the show's history.

CHANCES ARE WHEN THE EXHIBITORS AND ATTENDEES enter the renovated and expanded Anaheim Convention Center a thought in their minds might be: "If there is a slowdown in the economy, I certainly do not see it here." This is because the AWFS Woodworking Machinery and Supply Fair that runs August 2-5, is expected to be the largest in its history.

Pre-registration is up 24 percent from the same period in 1999. AWFS expects 24,000 attendees, which would surpass 1999's total of 19,162 attendees. The more than 750 exhibitors have taken up 370,000 net square feet of space, which tops 1999's record of 340,000 square feet of exhibit space. Even the Student Design contest has double its number of entries.

"When business gets slow, and all we hear about the economy is that things are slowing down, then people want to look at the new processes and new materials to be more competitive," says Skip Hem, chair of the 2001 AWFS Fair. "Everyone is seeking to improve their business. I think it's going to be a great show,"

This year's fair has plenty to offer for production woodworkers, says Hem. "I believe the main reason production woodworkers will be attending is to look for products, machinery and equipment that will help them reduce their costs. In the furniture industry, for example, they are faced with the problem of offshore products coming into the country, particularly from China. The only way to compete, therefore, is to become more productive, and the way to do that is to see what new products, machinery and equipment are available to them. This show is their opportunity to see what is out there and what is upcoming"

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There will be several seminars dedicated strictly to production shops. The seminars will cover products and materials, business management and techniques, among other topics. (For a complete list of seminars, turn to page 126.)

Along with an expanded show, visitors to the Anaheim Fair will see a newly expanded Anaheim Convention Center. The convention center expansion, just one part of a major development project in Anaheim (see story on page 109), brings the facility's total space to 1.6 million square feet. The convention's interior has also been improved, so attendees should have no problem going from one area to another.

"The Anaheim Convention Center has done a terrific job in modernizing the venue," says Hem. "I am sure that most attendees and exhibitors will be pleasantly surprised when they see the facility."

The Anaheim Fair will also feature the second Student Design Contest, which is open to both high school and post-secondary school students. The 1999 contest exceeded AWFS' expectations in terms of creativity and talent of the participants, says Teri McCormick, chair of the AWFS education committee. "We were delighted about the enthusiasm and interest of the high school students and their teachers, who had never been given the opportunity to participate in such a nationally based contest," she says.

This year's contest has more than doubled the number of entries from 1999. There are 65 entries, 52 from post secondary schools and 13 from high schools. "The judges are going to have their work cut out for them, as all the entries are impressive," McCormick says.

There are five categories this year: chairs, tables, furniture-casework/cabinets, upholstered furniture and RTA furniture, the special theme of this year's contest. Each category is divided into high school and post-secondary entries. The categories are further broken into traditional and creative styles, so judges can reward pieces that represent both well-made, traditional furniture and innovative, original designs.

AWFS will also present its annual Sequoia Awards for companies that have made environmentally friendly products. This "green" award was created to demonstrate the industry's concern for the environment.

"It is a way of recognizing exhibitors and members of our community for their efforts," says Doug Kemp, president of Kemp Hardware and the person who helped create the Sequoia Awards. "It is nice for these companies to be recognized for doing something smart and good to improve the environment and the woodworking industry."

AWFS is also teaming up with the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America to bring up to 14 foreign representatives to visit the Fair. A joint committee, determining the representatives for the program, will focus on major distributors who have indicated an intention to add more American lines to their supplier base.

"This is a good way of strengthening relations with overseas dealers while giving AWFS and WMMA members the opportunity to meet face to face with capable overseas representatives," says Tom Orlando, a member of the AWFS international marketing committee and the WMMA export development committee.

For more information about the Anaheim Woodworking Fair or to register online, visit the Fair's Web site at www.woodworkingfair.org.

Sam Gazdziak and Lisa Whitcomb contributed to this article.