AWFS Show 2021 Woodworking Fair | Las Vegas – Things to Know!

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      What is the AWFS?

      “A national trade association representing the secondary wood industry: machinery and supply manufacturers, distributors, and importers. Owns and operates the AWFS Fair, which takes place every odd year in July in Las Vegas, NV. Focused on supporting the industry through education and advocacy.”

      source: The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers

      The AWFS or Association of  Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers is woodworking’s biggest national trade association in the United States. It represents the interests of all companies involved in the furnishings industry. 

       

      Las Vegas 2021 AWFS show convention
      AWFS Show Las Vegas

      Black Limba Lumber Bench Build. Just in time for the show.

      AWFS Trade Shows

       

      The AWFS holds woodworking conventions annually.  The AWFS Show locations alternate by year. The 2021 show is being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2022, the AWFS Fair returns to Atlanta. 

       

      Of note, this 2021 LV show is the first major wood industry event to take place live and in person since 2019!

      AWFS Show Locations and Show Dates

       

      As of 2021, the shows are held in two location, alternating by year.:

      1. AWFS Las Vegas 2021 – July 20-July 23 Las Vegas Convention Center. Address:  Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Center Authority 3150 Paradise Road Las Vegas, NV 89109
      2. IWFS Atlanta 2022 -August 23-August 26 –  Georgia World Congress Center Authority. Address: 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW,
        Atlanta, GA 30313

      Although the AWFS association’s address is at the Anaheim Convention Center, (2400 E Katella Ave Ste 340, Anaheim, CA 92806) , AWFS shows are no longer held there. As a young lumber sales rep, I fondly remember attending a few shows at the Anaheim Convention Center. However,  exhibitors were not as excited about the venue. Many of the Anaheim CC complaints revolve around very stringent union rules which make it expensive to exhibit.

      What Are the AWFS Show Hours?

       

      Below are the AWFS Exhibit Hall hours

      Exhibit Hall Hours: Monday July 19, 2021 9 am-5 pm* Tuesday July 20, 2021 9 am-5 pm (first official show day) Wednesday July 21, 2021 9 am-5 pm

      source: Woodworking Network

      However, these are the regular hours for general admission AWFS fair attendees. There are typically extended hours for exhibitor access to the Halls for setup and taking down booths. Also, special events may take place outside of regular show hours. 

       

      AWFS Directions | How to Get There

      The 2021 AWFS Fair takes place in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. That is where to go to check in for admission. The West Hall connects to the other Convention Center Halls by walking bridge over Paradise Road.

      The LVs Convention Center is on the LV Monorail system.   If your hotel is on the strip and serviced by the monorail system, you can take it directly to the Convention Center. 

      Here are the stops along the monorail that will take you to the Convention Center:

      1. Sahara Las Vegas / W Las Vegas
      2. Westgate
      3. Harrah’s / LINQ
      4. Flamingo / Caesar’s Palace
      5. Bally’s / Paris
      6. MGM Grand

      You can find a map of the entire convention center and parking lots here.

      If you fly into McCarron Airport, there are five ways to get from the airport to the convention center.

      1. Bus
      2. Taxi/Uber/Lyft
      3. Rental Car
      4. Foot (From personal experience, I don’t recommend walking. This will take you over an hour in the hot Las Vegas summer sun)

       

       

      AWFS Exhibitor List

       

      Many of the biggest companies in woodworking and lumber exhibit at the AWFS show in LV. However, exhibitors change each year.  You can find a list of 2021 exhibitors here.  and the Las Vegas Convention Center Floor plan here.

      Compare this to the 2019 AWFS  exhibitor list here. How things have changed in just 2 years!

       

       

      Additionally, more than 15,000 woodworkers attend the show. Therefore, you will see many woodworking reps on the convention floor as attendees in addition to the exhibitors. 

       Fontana’s own, Peterman Lumber, will be exhibiting at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas this year.  They are very cool people and always have a nice exhibit, If you’re a customer, hit them up for an invite to their VIP party on July 21 from 2Pm-6PM.  As the late great John Belushi wisely observed in 1978:

      It don’t cost nothin’

      source:  National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) Directed by John Landis, performance by John Belushi as John “Bluto” Blutarski. Universal Pictures. 

       

      Do I Need a Ticket to attend?

      Yes, tickets are required for entry to the AWFS show.  Since it is an industry trade show, you cannot just walk into the show without registration.

      Register online for the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas here. It’s only 30$ earlybird, if you buy ahead. Show admission costs $35 at the door. However, you must register to attend the AWFS  show.

       

      Is the AWFS Show Worth It? Should I Go?

      As a 20+ year hardwood lumber industry veteran,  I believe the AWFS Las Vegas is worthwhile to attend, even if you are not in the market for woodworking machinery. It’s a great place to network. Also, since everyone looks for an excuse to go to Las Vegas, attendance is always good.

      Is AWFS Admission too Expensive?

       

      Additionally, if you’re too cheap to pay the $30-35 admission,  search the exhibitor list. If you see any of your vendors there, call you rep and ask them to give you a free pass. It’s worth a shot, right? 

      “Hi Festool, a few years ago you sent me a replacement screw for an orbital sander I bought used off Craig’s List. Can you get me into the show?”