FABTECH 2010 in Atlanta draws more attendees, fills more floor space than previous Atlanta show

The 2010 FABTECH exposition and conference drew 22,000 visitors to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Nov. 2-4 to experience the latest manufacturing innovations and discuss industry issues — an increase of 12 percent from the 2006 Atlanta show. The annual event is the largest tradeshow in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, welding, stamping, tube and pipe, and finishing equipment and technology.

Filling nearly 371,000 square feet of booth space, the three-day show included 1,138 exhibitors, an increase of 23 percent percent from the first show in Atlanta. The event also featured the unveiling of more than 500 new products.

"We are quite pleased with the show's positive attendance figures; the manufacturing industry is alive and well," said John Catalano, FABTECH show co-manager. "Attendees told us there is no better place to see the latest innovations, products, and equipment demonstrations, to talk shop with suppliers, and to build relationships with exhibitors who can help them make wise business decisions and achieve better results.

"Exhibitors were impressed with the quantity and quality of attendees who visited their booths, and how their businesses will benefit from the experience," added Catalano.

"Our 2010 show brought together industry leaders from more than 50 countries to share … metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing ideas,” said Mark Hoper, FABTECH show co-manager. "This year's show also included the successful debut of the Finishing Technologies Pavilion & Conference that allowed visitors to review finishing equipment, processes and services, and gain valuable technical insight."

"Our new partnership with FABTECH benefits our members, the finishing industry and manufacturing in general," said Sherrill Stoener, Pneu-Mech, Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) president. "As an exhibitor, I was equally pleased. We got more qualified leads out of this show than all the other shows combined that we've participated in during the last three years."

The 2010 show included three fully-functional, state-of-the-art stamping lines in the METALFORM Technology Area; keynote sessions on how manufacturers can gain a competitive advantage by going green and on how diversification is critical to survival; Solutions Showcase business improvement sessions; the 2010 Weld Trials Competition; and more than 100 conferences, seminars, professional programs, and technical sessions.

The 2011 show will be held in Chicago next November. For more information, visit www.fabtechexpo.com.

Co-sponsored by the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI), FABTECH is the largest tradeshow in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, welding, stamping, tube and pipe, and finishing equipment and technology.