In an effort to provide show attendees more spark for their money, the organizers of FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show and METALFORM have gotten together with plans to offer combined exhibitions.

The alliance between the FABTECH & AWS show organizers — the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International and the American Welding Society — and the Precision Metalforming Association will result in a combined annual exhibition beginning in November 2009.

“AWS is pleased that METALFORM will join with the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show,” said Ray Shook, AWS executive director. “Metalforming companies are major customers of the welding and cutting industries. We’re confident this alliance will add significant value for both exhibitors and attendees.”

While the first official combined exhibition doesn’t occur until next year, the partners have agreed to a “soft start” at the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, to be held October 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. The show will include a METALFORM pavilion, displaying innovations in stamping technology.

The 2009 show is expected to cover 650,000 square feet with 1,300 exhibiting companies, “becoming a one-stop shop in North America where attendees can access the latest materials, equipment and services for all metalforming, fabricating, tube & pipe, welding and cutting technologies,” officials said in a statement.

In addition to the expanded show floor, FABTECH International, AWS and PMA will also conduct independent professional conferences and technical education programs during the 2009 show.

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