Woodworking Shows

[ChrisA Edwards]

Sorry is this thread is in the wrong sub-forum.

I see there is a 'The Woodworking Shows' coming to Atlanta, GA in March.

I've never been to one of these and was wondering if the 8hr round trip drive is worth it?

I did a search, but all I could find were threads that were 8 or 9 years old.

Do some of the major manufacturers attend these? Powermatic, Jet, Felder, Martin, etc., or do they just show up at the International Shows?

Thanks

[Erik Loza]

If you're willing to make the trip to Atlanta, I would hold off and come in August for IWF. You will see EVERYTHING there. Not so much in the regional hobby shows.

Erik

[Jim Becker]

I agree with Erik if you want to see "the show of all shows". "The Woodworking Shows" are ok and focused on hobbyists; there's good stuff and there's dreck. It's interesting to see and there are sometimes doo-dads you can't live without. Don't expect extraordinary "show specials" on big stuff like there were back in the day, however. Check out the free seminars...some of them can be pretty interesting.

[john snowdon]

Agreed! I just went to the Woodworking Show in Springfield, MA. Other than watching SawStop fire off a cartridge, it was boring.

[ChrisA Edwards]

IWF. Isn't that August 2020?

[Erik Loza]

Agreed! I just went to the Woodworking Show in Springfield, MA. Other than watching SawStop fire off a cartridge, it was boring.

You're right, my mistake. I was thinking it was Atlanta this year. Vegas is fun, just sayin'.

Erik

[Nick Decker]

Chris, I went to my first (and only) WWShow in Kansas City a couple of years ago. Overall, glad I didn't drive 8 hours to get there. Lee Valley and Woodpeckers had booths, which interested me mostly because I hadn't personally seen most of the cool stuff they sell. Carter did the bandsaw setup demo, which you can easily watch on You Tube. Kreg did some stuff with pocket hole jigs, and yes, SawStop wounded several hot dogs (although the SS booth was manned by a local Woodcraft employee). Like Jim said, lots of dreck, some of which had little or no connection to woodworking. Cost about $14 to get in. My advice, pass.

[Stan Calow]

I've been to the one in KC several years in a row. I dont think I've seen any of the actual big tool manufacturers selling products, mostly third party resellers, and no great bargains. Lee Valley is usually there. A large part of it is a sprawling Peachtree sales area, and turning supplies. I guess its a good opportunity for small shops and hobbyists to pick up the little stuff they need all at once. Some people go to see the lectures and demos. No, I wouldn't drive that far for it.

[Frederick Skelly]

I wouldn't drive more than 1 hr each way for The Woodworking Shows. They have been more and more disappointing to me lately. YMMV.

[Carl Beckett]

Agreed! I just went to the Woodworking Show in Springfield, MA. Other than watching SawStop fire off a cartridge, it was boring.

I went to this a few years back. Disappointing.

The fun part was the ride there/back with my then 7yo son, so not all was lost.

[Rod Sheridan]

I wouldn't drive more than 1 hr each way for The Woodworking Shows. They have been more and more disappointing to me lately. YMMV.

I agree, and I think there are 2 reasons;

1) we’re older and don’t need anything else for the shop

2) the internet has ruined wood shows. Not only have we seen everything on the net, online shopping has reduced vendor margins to the point that they can’t afford to attend shows.......Rod.

[Erik Loza]

Blast from the past: Dallas Closet Expo, 2005. Small show but all big hitters. Weinig was actually running a huge moulder in the show. Sounded like a jet engine. Couldn’t hear for days afterward.

Erik

401859401860

[Nick Lazz]

The WWShow used to come to Portland...but as many have said it got kinda boring, attendance dwindled and they ultimately skipped the stop. I’ve attended classes in the past at these shows that were worthwhile and once one put on by David Marks, which was cool.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Every couple years, we attend the show in Chantilly. I go mostly for the FREE seminars, plus pick up the few trinkets that cost more to ship than buy. Always learn something new. This year Charlotte is back on the schedule. It's closer to me (3 hours, vs 5 hours away,) but I would rather make a weekend of it in DC, as our daughter lives and hour away from show. Used to be the only place to see cool tools was at the show, but internet killed that. Been going to IWF for 20 years, but I think I have been for the last time. I find that I have all the tools I will ever need. My time and money are better spent fixing up shop.

[Charlie Hinton]

I live in the Dallas Texas area and my wife and I just drove up to Kansas City to go to the Woodworking Show and to Missouri Star Quilt Company.
My expectations for the Woodworking Show were low and it met those expectations.
Alex Snodgrass was there doing his bandsaw clinic and he is very entertaining.
There were some other presentations but I wasn't really interested in them, but that is not a reflection of the quality of the presentation.
Not very many vendors present, I did buy a Woodpeckers 6/8" square set.
They had a $10 off Show special so counting the $28 it cost for us to get in I only paid $18 over retail :-)

I wanted to go, my wife wanted to go to the Quilt store, we had a good time visiting Kansas City.
Had dinner at a Jazz Club, ate some good BBQ (twice), the people we encountered were all super nice.
It was a fun little getaway for us.

Do I think the Woodworking Show by itself is worth the drive ??
No.
But if you can have another activity to enjoy with someone you like hanging out with then it could be part of a fun weekend getaway.

[Jim Becker]

Blast from the past: Dallas Closet Expo, 2005. Small show but all big hitters. Weinig was actually running a huge moulder in the show. Sounded like a jet engine. Couldn’t hear for days afterward.

Erik

401859401860

Eric, did you work the show in Atlanta years ago when I helped out as "booth babe"? I don't remember who the official people were for that gig at this point...it was so long ago.

[Erik Loza]

Eric, did you work the show in Atlanta years ago when I helped out as "booth babe"? I don't remember who the official people were for that gig at this point...it was so long ago.

Jim, I think that might have been just before I got there. I still think you’re a babe, though.

Erik

[Jim Becker]

Jim, I think that might have been just before I got there. I still think you’re a babe, though.

Erik
ROFLOL!!!!! Hey, at least I got two nice (but slightly too small) polo shirts and a show pass out of the deal. :)

[Patrick McCarthy]

Jim, i always thought wearing a too small and tight shirt was part of the requirements for being a booth babe- at least it seems to be a common theme at the other tool and cars shows.

Just never envisioned you as a booth babe . . . . But there was that shot of you in your Naughty hat this past Christmas season, hmmmm . . . . I might have to rethink those assumptions . . .

[Erik Loza]

ROFLOL!!!!! Hey, at least I got two nice (but slightly too small) polo shirts and a show pass out of the deal. :)

I still have an SCM Group IWF polo shirt, truth be told. Hate to say it but the glory days of the smaller regional trade shows seem to be done. Remember the three promotions? TSI Expos, Woodworks, and The Woodworking Shows? Fun times. Don’t even know if they’re around any longer. The combination of internet marketing and the recession of ‘08-‘10 did them in.

If I were a show promotor, I would focus on seminars more than vendors. Line up a dozen really good speakers and do it that way. Make it a learning experience rather than a flea market. I believe people would travel for that.

Erik

[Erik Loza]

Jim, i always thought wearing a too small and tight shirt was part of the requirements for being a booth babe- at least it seems to be a common theme at the other tool and cars shows...

So, Ex-Factory was NOTORIOUS for their booth babes. Not finance reps, just gals in short-shorts to stand around the permeter of the booth and lure guys in. I remember one Atlanta show where their booth was in between ours and the restrooms. That became the code phrase of a couple of the territory reps: “Be right back. Going to the restroom”.

Erik

[Jim Becker]

Yes, the regional/touring shows really took a hit when the economy did it's thing a number of years ago and recovery just hasn't been thrilling. I could be wrong, but I only see The Woodworking Shows at this point...there's one in Secaucus early March. The irony here is that all three of my SCM/Minimax machines were acquired associated with those regional shows. Two machines (the J/P and the MM16) were actually used as show props and I picked them up afterward uncrated and enjoyed them immediately. The slider was benefitted by both a show special discount and some other factors. "Those were the days..."

[Erik Loza]

Yes, the regional/touring shows really took a hit when the economy did it's thing a number of years ago and recovery just hasn't been thrilling. I could be wrong, but I only see The Woodworking Shows at this point...there's one in Secaucus early March. The irony here is that all three of my SCM/Minimax machines were acquired associated with those regional shows. Two machines (the J/P and the MM16) were actually used as show props and I picked them up afterward uncrated and enjoyed them immediately. The slider was benefitted by both a show special discount and some other factors. "Those were the days..."

Man, I have lost count of how many MM’s or other machines I helped load up at the end of a show. Those WERE the days.

Erik

[Richard Coers]

If you combine the 8 hr trip with some vacation, Atlanta is a great city to visit. "The Woodworking Shows" is still what you make it. If you just want to stroll and buy a few unusual things, it can still be fun. If you want to see heavy machinery and expect a huge discount, you will be greatly disappointed. It's my opinion that these shows are dying because they have not adapted. Younger generation is all about "making", not woodworking exactly. They should have moved at least some of the show towards small 3d printers, lasers, and bench top CNCs. Then add in metal smithing for jewelry, and even fabric arts. You can't keep pushing the same niche woodworking tools to a demographic of mid to late 60 year old guys and stay successful. When I worked at Woodworker's Journal in the late 90s, Delta knew they were going to be in trouble. As a Delta executive said to me, Unisaw sales are going to tank. Grandpa is passing his on to the next generation and sales are going to head down a long downward sales curve.

[Frederick Skelly]

If you combine the 8 hr trip with some vacation, Atlanta is a great city to visit. "The Woodworking Shows" is still what you make it. If you just want to stroll and buy a few unusual things, it can still be fun. If you want to see heavy machinery and expect a huge discount, you will be greatly disappointed. It's my opinion that these shows are dying because they have not adapted. Younger generation is all about "making", not woodworking exactly. They should have moved at least some of the show towards small 3d printers, lasers, and bench top CNCs. Then add in metal smithing for jewelry, and even fabric arts. You can't keep pushing the same niche woodworking tools to a demographic of mid to late 60 year old guys and stay successful. When I worked at Woodworker's Journal in the late 90s, Delta knew they were going to be in trouble. As a Delta executive said to me, Unisaw sales are going to tank. Grandpa is passing his on to the next generation and sales are going to head down a long downward sales curve.

Good ideas Richard. Well worth exploring if I owned that show. Interestingly, I met the owner 2-3 years back at a show and he was no older than about 35. He might be receptive to your idea - you ought to drop them a note.

[Jim Becker]

Richard, I agree about "adapting"...there was a single desktop CNC vendor at the Secaucus show last year and it was a brand that I had never heard of nor seen anything about since.

[Charlie Hinton]

CNC and laser were prominent at Kansas City this year.
Laney Slaughterhouse (sp) was doing a CNC clinic.

[Simon MacGowen]

Good ideas Richard. Well worth exploring if I owned that show. Interestingly, I met the owner 2-3 years back at a show and he was no older than about 35. He might be receptive to your idea - you ought to drop them a note.

I also attended one of the early shows in which crafts and household stuff (floor cleaning) etc. vendors were present (to keep the spouses happy?). But some woodworking visitors as well as vendors openly complained about the "non-woodworking mix." The show organizer was in a bind.

Simon

[Alex Tonin]

As someone who works for a company who exhibits at the big woodworking big shows, I can tell you the shows give us some complimentary passes to offer clients as part of our participation. My company (and I suspect many others) are quite keen to give these out, with the understanding that the clients who receive them will be happy to spend some time at our booth. Might bear fruit to kick the tires on scoring a free pass with a rep from your favorite woodworking equipment company before shelling out for a pass to IWF or AWFS for yourself.

[Erik Loza]

Might bear fruit to kick the tires on scoring a free pass with a rep from your favorite woodworking equipment company before shelling out for a pass to IWF or AWFS for yourself.

One of the issues is that the machinery manufacturers quit exhibiting at the regional shows a long time ago. For interested folks (assuming we’re not talking about hand tools or battery-powered stuff), the big-dollar equipment just quit participating. I think the last show Minimax USA did on the regional circuits was maybe 2007, if not 2006. By then, it was down to just us and Laguna as far as actual industrial equipment manufacturers doing any displaying. It was about $10K for us to have a 10X12 booth at any of those shows. That was booth fee, freight cost to get the equipment there, my airfare/car rental/lodging, etc. So, even 10+ years ago, it was still super expensive just to show machinery at the smallest shows. This is why I tell folks to put IWF or AWFS on their bucket list. It really is the only spot you will get to see it all under one roof. Just my 2-cents.

Erik

[Jon Wyatt]

I attended the Baltimore show this January and it was not what I expected. Some major suppliers were there such as SawStop; however, I had hoped to see a lot more equipment on display. It had some demos I enjoyed seeing but would not invest nine hours round trip to see it again.