Create a winning game plan: cruise the technology tour.

There is only one place on Earth where people can see the Eiffel tower, the canals of Venice, the Pyramids and the latest innovations to the woodworking industry--Las Vegas. In July, tens of thousands of woodworkers from across the globe will converge on the glittering jewel in the desert for the 50th AWFS Fair, held July 18-21, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

On display will be the latest in equipment, supplies and services that the industry has to offer. With more than 900 exhibitors and 475,000 square feet of exhibit space already sold, the fair will be the largest in AWFS history. Attendance is running ahead of 2005 numbers for both domestic and international attendees.

"I know interest is high," says Skip Hem, AWFS president and vice president of Royal Plywood. "People are looking to find new procedures, new machinery and new concepts.

"We're very upbeat and we think it's going to be the best show we've ever had," Hem adds.

The biennial AWFS Vegas Fair is sponsored by the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers. Cost to attend the show is $10 for a four-day exhibit pass, if purchased by July 10.

After that date, the price for the pass is $30. For more information, visit www.awfsfair.org or phone AWFS at [phone].

Among the attractions of the 2007 AWFS Vegas Fair is a wide variety of educational seminars, covering a diverse range of topics of importance to the woodworking industry. New this year are two seminars on the green movement, as well as the availability of earning Continuing Education Units.

"For the first time in the seminar programs we have two sessions regarding green building," says Hem. "It's become more and more important that we have to be educated, from the top to the bottom. The attendees are taking advantage of these things that are only there to help them, their businesses and employees to learn more."

KICK START YOUR PLANS

Get a head start on your AWFS Vegas planning with this special Technology Tour, in which more than 50 companies provide a preview of some of the new products and services they offer, many of which will be on display at the show. Highlights of the AWFS Vegas Technology Tour include:

* An overview of products and services offered by the advertisers in this special section, along with their booth numbers--beginning on page 110.

* An in-depth focus on new products and services that will be on display by leading industry manufacturers and distributors beginning on page 130 and continuing through page 179.

According to the AWFS, more than 24,000 woodworking industry-related professionals attended the previous fair in 2005.

AWFS Vegas attendees can expect to wander through aisles full of new innovations, new technology and proven solutions. The fair also provides an invaluable opportunity for woodworkers to network face-to-face with their peers, suppliers and equipment manufacturers.

"There's been a lot of work and effort that went into making this show the best," says Hem. "Given what's happened in the economy with the housing sector--it isn't all doom and gloom, and there are reasons for people to see how they can improve their business. I think that's going to be the focus of the attendees."

The Technology Tour is full of information to help you organize your plans, and make the most of your time at the AWFS Fair.

AWFS Vegas Fair at a Glance

Dates: July 18-21

Exhibit Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, North & Central halls

Transportation: Shuttle service will be available to and from the LVCC from the following hotels: Alexis Park, Aladdin, Bally's, Caesars Palace, Fairfield Inn, Flamingo, Harrah's, Hilton Grand Vacation, New York New York, Paris, Sahara, Westin and Wynn. Hours for the buses are: Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Exhibitors: More than 900 domestic and international manufacturers and distributors of woodworking equipment and supplies (as of June 7).

Seminars: Seven education tracks, covering a wide range of topics, are available, including: Business Management, Cabinet/Millwork, Software/Technology, Techniques/Applications, Hand-Crafted Furniture, Safety & Environment and Teacher Track. Part of the 2007 College of Woodworking Knowledge, the 52 seminars include all-day workshops, 1-1/2-, 2-, 3- and 4-hour programs and SMART [Special Machinery and Relevant Technology) sessions. The seminars will take place on the second floor of the North Hall, rooms N253-N264. SMART sessions will be at specific booths in the exhibit hall and begin at 7:30 a.m., prior to the show's opening. Until June 25, prices are $55 for the 1-1/2- and 2-hour sessions, $75 for the 3- and 4-hour sessions and $150 for the all-day sessions. There is no charge for the SMART sessions, although reservations are required.

Awards Ceremony: Presentations will be made at a special awards dinner on Thursday, July 19, to the winners of the Sequoia New Product Awards, the Fresh Wood Student Competition and to those companies in the Wood & Wood Products 2007 WOOD 100. The event will be hosted by Richard Karn, best known as Al Borland on TV's Home Improvement.

Show Sponsor: Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers

Information: Visit www.awfsfair.org or phone AWFS at [phone].

See Us at the Show

Stop by booth #1857 to meet the staff of Wood & Wood Products, Custom Woodworking Business and CLOSETS magazines. While there, pick up a copy of Wood Extra, a special AFWS Vegas-dedicated tabloid with exclusive distribution at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In addition to show information and industry news, Wood Extra will feature information on attractions in Las Vegas and more.

WOOD 100 Reps Honored at AWFS Dinner

Representatives of this year's WOOD 100 firms will be honored by the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers during a banquet ceremony at the AWFS Vegas Fair. The dinner gala is scheduled for Thursday, July 19, at the Las Vegas Hilton. The evening's festivities will be emceed by Richard Karn, best known as Al Borland, sidekick to Tim "The Toolman" Taylor on W's Home Improvement.

In addition to being recognized at the event, WOOD 100 executives also qualified for two free room nights at one of four Caesars Entertainment Hotels during the fair, compliments of AWFS.

To accommodate the AWFS Fair schedule, publication of the WOOD 100 Report is moved up to July.

About the WOOD 100

W&WP launched the WOOD 100 in 1990 to pay homage to fast-growing North American woodworking companies. The slogan, "Not the biggest, the best," underscores the fact that the WOOD 100 is open to companies of all sizes, from $100,000 in annual sales on up.

This year's WOOD 100 Report will rank and profile companies based on annual sales growth achieved between 2005 and 2006. For the past few years, all of the qualifying companies have achieved double-digit growth.

See Us at the Show

Stop by booth #1857 to meet the staff of Wood & Wood Products, Custom Woodworking Business and CLOSETS magazines. While there, pick up a copy of Wood Extra, a special AFWS Vegas-dedicated tabloid with exclusive distribution at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In addition to show information and industry news, Wood Extra will feature information on attractions in Las Vegas and more.