FABTECH 2007 in Review

Hyped as “Your Job – Your Show,” the combined FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show was a well attended event that included booths, technical forums, and educational opportunities, all housed in Chicago’s McCormick Place, November 11 – 14, 2007.

New highs in the number of booths and exhibiting companies, as well as square footage were attained. Also, a 27 percent jump in attendance over the previous meeting in Chicago. More than 30,000 people attended the show!

The technical sessions were divided into AWS sessions and FABTECH sessions, with each offering learning experiences on a myriad of topics—from tax credits to tube bending, breakthroughs in laser technology and much, much more.

The gases, gas equipment, and other gas-related industries were well represented. (See adjacent chart.) And many new products (a total of 450) were presented to the attendees who were eager to absorb new technologies and equipment, and to ask questions that related to their focus topics.

But for my buck (or more precisely, SGR’s buck), discussions with the laser manufacturers about their new products, their gas applications, and specifications relating to those products (and what it means to our readership in terms of delivering and handling gases for lasers), made the trip worth it, and a great investment of our time.

As so happens, this first issue of the new year of the Specialty Gas Report deals with many of the key elements in the unique gas needs of lasers for material processing. So I will not go into any great detail here, except to say that every manufacturer and distributor of gases and gas handling equipment needs to attend this show to keep pace with the developments in the specialty gas arena.

If your organization expects to provide customers with expert advice on gases and gas handling systems—from single station to bulk supply, for oxyacetylene through laser sources, this is the place to be. Your Job, Your Show!

If you plan on attending 2008, block out your calendar for October 6-8. It will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

It’s worth it! And the returns are formidable.