New tradeshow planned for IWF dates

A small band of equipment suppliers in the secondary woodworking market have banded together to create their own tradeshow. Called the Woodworking Fair Midwest, the open house-style event is scheduled for Aug. 26-28, 2020 in Borden, Ind.

The initiative started with cancellation of the IWF 2020. Two suppliers who have a working relationship, Northtech Machine and Vecoplan Midwest began discussions on how to see numerous customers effectively in light of the IWF’s cancellation, according to the companies.

‟Bill (Miller, COO of Vecoplan Midwest) and I got to talking about what a bummer it was to miss out on the opportunity to see customers and prospects,” Northtech president Brandon Koetter said in a statement. ‟I had mentioned hosting an open house at my facility, and Bill thought maybe he would do one too since many of our customers are the same. One thing led to another, and we found an empty warehouse that could serve as the venue for us, leading to the opportunity for other suppliers to be part of the event. We figure that more exhibiting companies translates to more attendees for all of us.”

Another supplier to the market, JKL Machinery, the North American importer Casadei-Busellato NA, joined in on the brainstorming. The trio formed a steering committee, and after addressing how to manage covid-19 precautions, the group decided to move forward. Vecoplan’s marketing department was enlisted to help implement the vision to the market.

The event has an active website, woodworkingfairmidwest.com, for attendees to register free-of-charge and for potential exhibitors to express their interest.