We’re just shy of 2 months away from the International Fastener Expo! We’re getting very excited for the industry’s largest industrial fastener event in No. America! So, we decided to catch up with Karalynn Sprouse from Emerald Expositions to get the lowdown on what’s happening at the International Fastener Expo.
FND: IFE recently announced the addition of the NEW Golf Outing. Can you tell us more about the it and give us some insights about what attendees and exhibitors can look forward to at the 2019 IFE?
Karalynn: For IFE 2019, exhibitors and attendees can look forward to another great conference schedule, more networking opportunities than ever before, and ample chance to create and nurture valuable business relationships.
This year, attendees will see the launch of our annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday at the award-winning Bali Hai Golf Club – the only championship golf course located on the famed Las Vegas Strip. We’ve pulled out all the stops at this inaugural 18-hole scramble event as an avid golfer, I understand how much business and cultivation get done on the golf course and we really wanted to create another opportunity for networking and collaboration. This really is the one time a year that the entire industry comes together so we wanted to maximize and offer even more value to this annual gathering. We encourage everyone at IFE to take advantage of this special moment to be together and have some fun in the sun in Las Vegas!
THE *NEW* GOLF TOURNAMENT
New for 2019, on Tuesday morning our inaugural Golf Tournament will feature a shotgun start, 18-hole scramble, at the award-winning Bali Hai Golf Club, known for being the only championship golf course remaining on the Las Vegas Strip, presenting a world-class golf experience with Vegas resort backdrops.
Our first tournament will have many surprises and two exciting Hole in One prizes – $10,000 cash and a new Harley Davidson motorcycle. We will also host a unique Three Putt Combo contest for a chance to win a Pebble Beach Golf Vacation, valued at $7,500. Goodies, club rentals, drink tickets and food will be provided. Single and Foursome spots are on a first-come, first-served basis and are available for purchase at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ife-golf-tournament-tickets-64261314321.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY 
The highly-anticipated Opening Night Party will take place for the second year in a row at the beautiful Daylight Club Pool at the Mandalay Bay Resort and is the largest social gathering in the industry with over 1,000 professionals coming together to network and socialize.
AFTER HOURS MEET UP
In keeping with tradition and “Circle Bar Meetups” of the past we will also host the after-hours event called “NIGHTCAP” at the Eyecandy Sound Lounge again at host hotel Mandalay Bay Resort and the first 250 drinks are on us.
*NEW* EARLY ACCESS
We will also change the format a bit by opening Exhibit Hall E only for “early access” on Wednesday morning from 8 am – 10 am to provide dedicated time for attendees to visit the Machinery and Tooling and our international exhibits (Source Global) and invite all to join us for coffee and donuts in Hall E.
The rest of the exhibits (located in Hall D) will open at 10 am on Wednesday and 9 am on Thursday
FND: Can you reveal this year’s recipients of the Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the year award winners?
Karalynn: This year’s recipients of the Young Fastener Professional of the Year and Hall of Fame awards will be announced in August as there are still nominations coming in. We plan to celebrate their substantial contributions to the fastener industry during our Annual Award Ceremony on Wednesday at IFE.
In the meantime, we continue to congratulate our past recipients, including last year’s honorees – Jun Xu and Peggy Hsieh, Brighton-Best International; Robbie Gilchrist, Capital Marketing and Bob Sachs, XL Screw Corporation respectively.
FND: Are you meeting or beating registration numbers this year? Can we look forward to new exhibitors?
Karlynn: We can always look forward to new exhibitors. Some notable ones include Abbott-Interfast LLC, Createch Machine and Design, E-Carb Tool & Supply/Nomura USA, Fastening Systems International, Inc., Mp Strut & Fasteners, PRF Manufacturing USA, Inc., Nova Fasteners Co., Mag Instrument, Inc. Trans-Matic Mfg., and Truss-T Hanger, LLC and Winzer Corp. New international companies include EEPC India, Bhullar Industries, and 3s Metal
We are excited to welcome all exhibitors – old and new.
We are pacing right on target to our goal and can’t wait to see everyone at the show.
FND: What are the themes for the presentations this year?
Karalynn: Every year at IFE, and within every conference schedule, we focus on covering the most relevant topics in the fastener industry. This year is no different. Our expert speakers will tackle the latest in tariffs, e-commerce, technical innovations, technology, 3D printing, and best practices in leadership and management – all within a few days.
FND: Can you reveal any news about this year’s Welcome Reception?
Karalynn: The Welcome Reception at IFE is the largest social gathering in the fastener industry, and we enjoy kicking off the show with an open bar, some food, and live music and entertainment. Over 1000 of our customers come to mix and mingle, and this year’s party is another networking event not to be missed.
FND: Are there any other programs you might want to share with exhibitors?
Karalynn: Bring Your Own Distributor
There is still time to participate in our Bring Your Own Distributor (BYOD) program, which gives current show exhibitors the opportunity to invite distributors they would like to see at IFE 2019. Qualified distributors receive two nights at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and free admission to IFE. This is a first-come, first-served program, so I would encourage you to quickly submit your nominations at https://www.fastenershows.com/byod-program.
About International Fastener Expo
The International Fastener Expo (IFE) is the largest and most diverse gathering of fastener and industrial professionals in North America. Founded in 1981 it serves all reaches of the supply chain, from manufacturer to distributor to OEMs, and features nearly 70 product categories. With over 850 vendors and more than 5,000 attendees from 30+ nations, the International Fastener Expo delivers industry‐leading content and facilitates vital industry connections at their annual three‐day show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the entertainment and trade show capital of North America.
About Emerald Expositions
International Fastener Expo is owned and operated by Emerald Expositions, a leading operator of business‐to‐business trade shows in the United States. The company currently operates more than 55 trade shows, as well as numerous other face‐to‐face events. In 2018, Emerald’s events connected over 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors and occupied more than 6.9 million NSF of exhibition space. Emerald Expositions has been recognized with many awards and accolades that reflect its industry leadership as well as the importance of its shows to the exhibitors and attendees it serves.
Fastener News Desk looks forward to seeing you in Vegas!
Register to attend today!
Related Content:
Nomination Request for the IFE Hall of Fame & Young Fastener Professional Awards (Extended)
International Fastener Expo, The Fastener Museum
