AWFS Fair: A Showcase of Innovations
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Later this month, thousands of woodworkers will converge on Las Vegas for the biennial AWFS Fair, to be held July 20-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Following the theme of “Surround Yourself with Innovation,” on display will be the latest in equipment, supplies and services that the industry has to offer. With approximately 600 exhibitors, and several seminars and technical programs available, attendees will have numerous opportunities to evaluate products and educate themselves on the latest technology and news affecting the industry. Live coverage from the show will be posted daily by WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Sponsored by the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers, the cost to attend the AWFS Fair is $50 for a four-day pass; no one under the age of 16 will be admitted onto the exhibit floor. For more information, visit AWFSFair.org.

Fresh Designs, Expanded Events
From 137 entries, 41 projects have been chosen as finalists in the Fresh Wood student design competition. Selection of the winners in each category, along with Best of Show and People’s Choice, will be announced July 22.

The show also offers an expanded educational program of eight tracks and 46 sessions — including some that are free — through the AWFS College of Woodworking Knowledge. In addition to the seminars, there will hands-on workshops and 1-1/2-hour technical SMART! (Special Machinery and Relevant Technology) programs held on the show floor. Also back by popular demand, the Smart SHOP “Simplicity in Automation for the Small Shop” fully automated small cabinet shop will be available for viewing at Booth #4057.

Throughout the show, attendees and exhibitors also can visit the Green Desk to meet with experts on issues related to sustainability practices, green building, certification and federal and state regulations that impact the industry. The Green Desk will be located in the North Hall.

Taking the Challenge
At AWFS, skills will be challenged in two races. A fan favorite, the National Championship Belt Sander races will be held July 21 at 4:30, in Central Hall Booth #10300. The event, organized by the Belt Sander Racing Assn. in cooperation with Accuride Intl and AWFS, will have competitors vying for awards as they race down a custom-built, 75-foot wooden track.

New this year, the WorldSkills Cabinetmaking Qualifying Trials, sponsored by SkillUSA, will showcase top students competing in cabinet construction and other woodworking skills throughout the show, with the winner being announced at the WorldSkills Booth #4250 at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The winner will be eligible to compete in the WorldSkills Leipzig world championship, to be held in 2013.

AWFS Fair: A Showcase of Innovations 
Official AWFS Fair Guide to New Products
AWFS Fair: A Showcase of Innovations
With the theme “Surround Yourself with Innovation,” AWFS 2011 is focusing on providing the industry with a cutting-edge forum for new product developments, competitive new strategies and relevant solutions for the changing marketplace. As you flip through the following pages you will find not only information about new equipment, supplies and education seminars but also embedded video links that will show you many of the new products that will be featured at AWFS.
 

See Us at the Show

Stop by Booth #2139 to meet the staff of Wood & Wood Products, CWB/Custom Woodworking Business and CLOSETS magazines, WoodworkingNetwork.com, which is tracking the latest news and product postings from AWFS Fair 2011.

While at the show, don’t forget to check out the market presentations by WWN’s own experts. At noon on July 20, VP and Group Publisher Laurel Didier will discuss the state of the woodworking industry, along with current trends and highlights. Friday at noon, Steve Reiss, VP and publishing director, will cover opportunities and best practices for digital marketing. Also on Friday, from 9-10:30 a.m., Associate Publisher and Editor-at-Large Rich Christianson will moderate “Regulations that Affect the Woodworking Industry,” a free seminar through the College of Woodworking Knowledge.


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