Strong participation from both attendees and exhibitors is predicted thanks to a centralised location and new conference space. The show organisers provide a guide to this year's event...
International Fastener Expo (IFE), the largest industrial fastener show in North America, is now its 37th year of operation. This year’s trade show, held this week over 30 October 2018 through 1 November 2018, will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre.
The new venue allows the conference to offer many expanded programs for its 5,000 attendees and 850 suppliers.
NEW & ELITE VENDORS
IFE is a renowned event and draws top fastener manufacturers from all over the world. Notable newcomers this year are Sidasa Engineering from Grass Lake, MI. Sidasa is one of the world’s leading integrated surface treatment company, specialising in developing and manufacturing a wide range of chemical specialities for multiple industries around the world. Thermosleeve-USA from Cerritos, CA, specialises in heat shrinkable products that are widely used in the aerospace, automotive, communications, constructions, electrical, military, oil, and utility markets. Rust-X USA from La Mirada, CA, specialises in corrosion prevention products such as RUST-X – Anti Corrosion Products and Industrial Lubricants, NEUTRASAFE – Rust Removers, ZORB-IT –Moisture Control Desiccants, PARKER – Automotive Lubricants, and AQUAFLUSH – Industrial Cleaning Agents. Berliss Bearing Company from Livingston, NJ, a fourth generation, family-owned corporation that manufacturers and distributes roller bearings, mechanical seals and custom engineered bearing products.
- Among the returning suppliers are:
Whitford Corporation from Elverson, PA, a manufacturer of the largest and most complete line of high-performance fluoropolymer and ceramic coatings in the world. - SECO/Warwick Corp from Meadville, PA, known for its rotary retort furnaces specifically designed for continuous, uniform heat treating of small parts, including coins, hardware, nails, bearings, chain components, nuts, bolts and screws.
- Forest City Technologies, Inc. from Wellington, OH, specialises in thread coatings, injection moulding, metal stamping seals, and die cut foam.
IFE OPENS ½ DAY EARLY
This year, the show is opening a half‐day early on Tuesday 30 October 2018 from 1‐4 pm to allow exhibitors to meet with vendors in the Machinery & Tooling and Source Global sections in order to not disrupt their day‐to‐day business once the show opens to attendees. The half‐day will conclude with an evening reception and networking event held for all attendees and exhibitors at Daylight Pool, located at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. The reception will be held from 6‐8 pm and will feature live entertainment and DJ, two hours open bar, light appetisers and a cigar rolling station.
On Tuesday, for the first time in show history, IFE has partnered with Berlin‐based EFDA (European Fastener Distributor Association) to bring a group of delegates and distributors from seven
different European countries to IFE 2018. EFDA represents 170 European‐based innovators with collective sales of more than four billion euros (5.14 billion dollars). 19 EFDA members will be walking the show floor on the first two days of the show, visiting IFE vendors.
With the help of our partner NFDA (National Fastener Distributors Association), they have secured factory tours of Las Vegas based fastener companies Elgin Fastener Group‐Vegas Fastener
Manufacturing and Fasco on Thursday 1 November 2018. Eight additional delegates from Korea, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong will join EFDA on the tour of facilities.
2018 AWARDS AND CEREMONIES
On Wednesday, 31 October 2018, IFE will hold its annual Award Ceremony at 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm at the Sessions Corner, located on the show floor. Both the Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional winners will be presented at the award ceremony. The 2018 Hall of Fame winners are industry veterans and thought leaders Bob Sachs of KL Screw Corp and Robbie Gilchrist of Capital Marketing. The winners of the Young Fastener Professional award are Peggy Hsieh and Jun Xu of Brighton‐Best International.
On Thursday 1 November 2018 from 10:30‐11:30am, the Young Fastener Professionals (YFP) will host “Speed Networking” event on the show floor at the “Beer Garden” area in the Machinery
& Tooling section, booth #1175. The Speed Networking event will be conducted in a “Round Robin” format which will enable quick, focused opportunities for young fastener professionals to
potentially meet with companies to enhance their career and business.
HOSTED PROGRAMME
IFE’s “BYOD” (Bring your own distributors) program is designed for exhibitors to nominate distributors they want to see at the show that have never attended. Exhibitors can nominate as many as they want and if the individual qualifies and is selected, IFE will host them on behalf of the exhibitors.
Distributors will receive free admission to the expo, as well as a complementary two‐night hotel stay at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Space is limited and nominations are now open. Visit
www.fastenershows.com/byod‐program to learn more.
