Almost all of us in the woodworking business attend some type of trade show. Most of us catch up periodically with the machinery shows, be it in Germany, Toronto, Atlanta or even Las Vegas.
I am not sure when my wife and I would have ever got to Las Vegas if it had not been for a AWFS machinery show back in 2005. Up until that time, I had always pictured Las Vegas like the old downtown Vegas.
I remember thinking the first day in Las Vegas, wow! This is an impressive city! Not only did the gamblers contribute to this infrastructure, but it also used to be the place where famous entertainers finished up their final years. We liked it well enough that the next year we booked our vacation there.
Although the tables and slot machines still make up a large part of the business, Las Vegas has transformed itself into an adult Disneyland. It now has some of the best entertainment stars in the world, reasonably priced, first-class accommodations, unbelievable shopping and it has also turned itself into one of the trade show capitals of the world.
After the U.S. economic downturn, KBIS and IBS, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and the International Builders Show, were both in a slump, so they signed a deal with Las Vegas to combine their shows there for the next few years.
The result is an exceptional show that is very relative to our business. It is a great supply and cabinet show with lots of woodworking industry information and seminars.
And that is why the CKCA has decided to hold its National Forum there again next January. It offers participants of our annual meeting a chance to also check out these two major industry shows at the same time.
I attended the last CKCA National Forum in Las Vegas this past January and was looking forward to also checking out KBIS. What surprised me was that I found the IBS show to be extremely informative and useful as well.
On a personal note, it was also quite easy to talk my wife into going, all I had to do was promise her that we would stay in Las Vegas for a few extra days. Even though I had to follow her around on some of her shopping, I will admit we did have a great time out and about on the town.
So whether it will be all business or a combination of business and pleasure, mark your calendar for this coming January. If you go to Vegas and take part in the CKCA’s National Forum, KBIS and IBS, it will be a gamble that will most certainly pay off.
Jim Lawrence is the owner of Avondale Kitchens in Jacksonville, N.B. and president of the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association. He can be reached at: Jim@AvondaleKitchens.com
