CITY OF COMMERCE, CA — 2011 AWFS Fair attendance remained steady with nearly 8,500 registered attendees, 500 exhibiting companies and drawing woodworking industry professionals from 58 countries. 2009 AWFS Fair attendance was approximately 9,000.

Exhibitors reported that buyer quality this year was more senior than in 2009 and that they collected a higher number of qualified leads this summer. The number of international countries represented also increased and more attendees participated in the show’s educational sessions. Contributing to the success of the show was the addition of new programs designed to build industry knowledge, relationships and education partnerships.

“We were very happy with the results of this year’s Fair,” Angelo Gangone, AWFS Executive Vice President, said. “It’s been a very challenging three years for tradeshows in general and our industry in particular. This year’s show had a very positive feeling. The industry may be finally turning the corner -- and that is what we are really excited about. As a matter of fact, we had the most exhibitors re-sign (for their 2013 exhibit space) onsite, since our show relocated to Las Vegas in 2005 and it appears that we may once again be on the road to growth for 2013.”