“Better than expected,” appeared to be the overriding comment by exhibitors following the close of the 2011 AWFS Vegas Fair. Although final figures were not available at publication, initial projections suggest it will be higher than that of the prior biennial show, though lower than initial projections of 19,000. AWFS Vegas was held July 20-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

“We are pleased with the show and have received positive feedback from attendees,” said Angelo Gangone, executive vice president of the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers, sponsors of the show. “AWFS 2011 was better than 2009,” he added. “We are now at a point where we can start rebuilding.”

Those that attended saw a full range of new and popular equipment and supplies on display by approximately 600 exhibitors located throughout the North and South Halls. Among the new technologies at this year’s show was a laser edgebander shown by Stiles Machinery and C.R. Onsrud’s CNC router with automated nested sheet material handling system and parts pre-labeling. Biesse was also among the many that showed new products, including the Nesting Working Cell Rover AG / Skill NBC for cabinets and kitchen doors and Klever 1530 CNC gantry working center for wood based panels. “We were glad to be back,” said Federico Broccoli, president, Biesse America. “It is certainly the most important industry event for all of North America this year.”

Supply companies also noted high interest by attendees at the show. There were a number of new innovations shown by the hardware, tooling and components manufacturers, including advancements in LED lighting, hinge and slide developments, and a number of new waste recycling centers by drawer component companies.

“We’re excited to have all the major exhibitors from technology, machinery, software and hardware, and we’re excited as well to bring a lot of educational venues to the attendees,” AWFS Trade Show Chairman and Hafele America International Project Marketing Phil Martin said at the show.

(Full coverage from AWFS Vegas, including more on the Sequoia Awards and Fresh Wood Student Design Competition, is online at WoodworkingNetwork.com/AWFS.)

 AWFS Sequoia Award winners

Innovation in Components: Biesse
Biesse’s Viet HP Sanding Pad is a new innovation for wood sanding machines on the electronic sanding pad. BiesseAmerica.com

Machinery over $50,000: SCM
SCM Group North America’s Stefani ONE TOUCH edgebander give’s simple touchscreen operation and runs JIT production. SCMGroup-USA.com

Machinery under $50,000: Graco
Graco’s ProMix 2KE is a compact,  component proportioning system for performing multi-color, two-component finishing jobs. Graco.com

Machinery under $50,000: Oneida
Oneida Air Systems’ Smart Pro Dust Collector has a variable speed controller that can automatically adjust pressure and air volume depending on the size of the dust port. Oneida-Air.com

Innovation in Power Tools: Micro Fence
Micro Fence says its Plunge Base and Edge-Guide package brings machine-tool precision to tasks, with 0.001-in. readouts. MicroFence.com

Innovation in Tooling: Leitz
Leitz’s RipTec cutting system uses micro-serrated carbide knives to eliminate woodgrain tear-out, plucking and fuzzing in solid wood. LeitzTooling.com

Productivity in Software: Planit Solutions
Planit’s Screen-to-Machine solution, S2M Center,   gets individual or batches of DXF drawings from Screen to Machine. ScreenToMachine.com

Green/Environmental: M.L. Campbell
M.L. Campbell’s EnviroVar Formaldehyde Free Conversion Varnish Clear uses its Clean Cure Technology and is low odor and HAPs free. MLCampbell.com

Green/Environmental: Hardwood Specialty Products
Hardwoods Specialty Products for Red Grandis, a wood product suitable for high-end applications. Hardwoods-Inc.com