Angelo Gangone is Executive Vice President, Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Supplies
AWFS Fair 2025 returns to Las Vegas, Nevada July 22-25, and promises a world of learning opportunities by showcasing the latest in machinery, products and services the industry has to offer.
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the industry, and Gangone says as an association "we once again try to provide our exhibitors and attendees with the best trade show experience possible."
So in 2025, attendees can benefit from seeing the largest collection of woodworking machinery and supplies in all of North America "right here at AWFS."
Gangone says any time you can bring the industry together in one location it is an important show because it offers attendees a chance to see new products and services, and gain new insights and ideas to help them run their businesses more efficiently and become more profitable.
AWFS is also an opportunity to drive your knowledge by unlocking a world of learning opportunities, gain insight from industry experts and attend workshops offered as part of the full slate of exciting educational seminars offered via the College of Woodworking Knowledge (CWWK).
Another reason why AWFS Fair is so important is because of the large landmass of North America. There is a lot of territory, Gangone says.
"People want to attend our show because it offers so much, all in one place and under one roof.
"About 45 per cent of our audience comes form the Western states, 10 per cent from the Southwest, 15 per cent from the Midwest, 15 per cent from the Southeast and six per cent from the Northeast.
"We have a similar split from Canada - from east to west - and we are excited to welcome our Canadian attendees who have always been our largest international participant," Gangone says.
"But I actually don't see it as international, because we share so much in common."
"Our strength is definitely the western states, because geographically, that's where our show is located," he says.
"That makes it convenient for shops from the immediate area to access our show. Many can even drive in.
"For instance, our largest market is, and that's not a surprise, California. And without being California centric, California just recently became the fourth largest economy in the world, ahead of Japan and just behind the entire country of Germany. So there is a huge market right there.
"On top of that, you will see a lot of reconstruction in California as a result of the devastating wildfires that caused in excess of $200 billion in damages. All those homes and business and offices will need to be rebuilt. So there will be a huge upswing of construction activity.
"As such, AWFS is the show uniquely situated to serve this market.
"So that's number one, it's just that geographic location.
DECISION-MAKERS
"Another thing that's really important about our show is the fact that a lot of the attendees that we have are higher ups in companies," Gangone says.
"The majority are decision makers, they are either presidents, owners or CEOs of companies. Or in many cases, you've got people who are production managers or foremen and supervisors and all of these are crucial to the buying process. "So our exhibitors can be sure they will meet a lot of decision makers most of the time if not all of the time.
People who can make decisions on buying machines, supplies and services or what have you. So that is an important audience to have.
"Trade shows in general are extremely important to show all of the latest innovations conveniently under one roof.
"Also, and this is a big deal, almost a third of our audience has been attending our show for 20-plus years," Gangone says. "That gives you an idea of the loyal audience we attract and how these companies have grown with the show over the years. There is a reason that they are coming back, they continue to look for ways for continuous improvements for their shops."
Gangone says the largest growing segment for AWFS has been shops in the range from $1 to $5 million in annual sales. These are growing companies.
"We capture companies and customers that continue to invest in technology and supplies to grow their companies.
"We also get the larger companies and the smaller shop, but it is that aforementioned sweet spot that is so important because it builds loyalty and you can only do that as an industry show if you continue to offer the kind of show that makes people want to come back because they see the benefit of doing so.
Gangone says the one complaint we get from people in our after-show surveys, it's that people ask why certain companies weren't at the show? So when you decide as a company that you don't want to exhibit, for whatever reason, they also have to factor in what they lose in the process."
FACE-TO-FACE
And nothing beats face-to-face contact. Despite all the advances we have made to keep communications open during the pandemic, we have also learned that nothing beats people interacting in person, putting a face to a product or a service and talking in person, Gangone says.
"So, exhibiting at a show also means meeting new customers, customers you didn't even know existed, that's the big lost opportunity if you are not here. And for visitors it means they don't just work with known firms, but they have a chance to discover something new, something they may not even existed or a company that has something that would make a perfect fit for their shop.
"So to me, there is no question that a trade show is the best place to help you find solutions to grow your business, to make it better. The greatest thing for me, what I love to see, is the guy who discovers something new. It's not just about meeting expectations; it's going beyond that with the surprises along the way.
"And the same can be said about a seminar you attend. There is always something else that can pop up and you meet people in that classroom that have similar issues and are looking for the same answers you are and may have found a solution that will work for you as well.
"I think it is absolutely critical to be open to new things and discoveries and expanding beyond your day-to-day. Where are the answers, where are the products to help you be more efficient and more productive and profitable. Whenever you get involved with a group, with others in the same industry, there is a chance for you to learn and share and get better.
EDUCATION
"I am very excited about our education program this year.
Our seminar program is a big deal; it's a very important aspect of the show.
"We are doing quite a bit on AI, because that's what people want to talk about. It's like the Internet. It transformed everything and we are expecting that AI will have a similar impact. But there are still a lot of questions and we have set up courses that will help people get those answers. Courses will look at AI in all its forms. From generative to production and logistics.
"One of them will be discussing a case study where we tracked a small shop that invested in automation. This study looks at the costs, the effects, how it was done and even the pitfalls you have to look out for when you are undertaking such a project.
This will be really beneficial for smaller shops because it will help them to economically upgrade their shops to make them more profitable and more efficient.
WHAT'S NEW
One of the things AWFS is doing this year is putting a focus on sustainability, Gangone says.
"It's very important and we have found that young people are very interested in this topic.
"So one of the problems we are facing in California is getting rid of wood waste. It's getting ever more expensive and we will be showing ways for people to turn that expense into revenue by taking that waste to convert it into energy or resell it for other products.
"This circular economy will help businesses financially. So our message is that sustainability is just good business, an opportunity and that there is cash in that trash."
FINAL WORD
"We don't care about the politics of the moment. That has nothing to do with our show. The show is about bringing the industry together and letting people benefit from this industry showcase.
"We feel strongly that as an association and a show, our heart is in the right place and we want what's best for the industry and we want everyone to thrive and so we will have the best show we possibly can. And we look forward to continue to do what's best for our industry."
