| Participants from more than 80 countries attended the co-located shows taking place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, October 31 - November 3 2006. MEGATEX included the co-location of IFAI Expo 2006, ATME-I 2006 and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists' AATCC 2006 International Conference & Exhibition plus, events organized by 10 additional textile industry organizations. |  |
| The combined total attendance was over 13,000 visitors and suppliers at the event-packed four-day trade show. Visitors from a wide range of countries were in attendance including India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Japan, China and the Central American countries | |
Whether measured by hard numbers or by testimonials from enthusiastic exhibitors, ATME-I 2006 was a success.
More than 6,500 attendees filled the aisles at ATME-I 2006, including almost 1,500 cross-over visitors from IFAI Expo. Further, the 417 international exhibiting companies at ATME-I 2006® in Atlanta, alongside IFAI Expo 2006® and AATCC IC&E 2006 enjoyed a combined MEGATEX attendance of more than 13,000 attendees during the four days of the event. More important than the raw numbers, however, as many exhibitors commented repeatedly, these were the "right" visitors – those with authority to make purchasing decisions and recommendations. According to registration records, nearly 25% were owners, CEOs or other management; a further 13% had responsibilities in technical, operations, planning or purchasing; and 13% were in manufacturing/production and research and development.
MEGATEX received the prestigious designation as an International Buyers Program by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which promotes trade shows that are helping suppliers, fabricators and manufacturers connect across international lines. The organizations listed below participated in making this event a powerful industry forum for ideas and business opportunities:
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists |
National Textile Association |
American Fiber Manufactures Association, Inc. |
Southern Textile Association |
American Textile Machinery Association |
Secondary Materials and Recycled Textile Association (SMART) |
The Carpet and Rug Institute |
Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association |
Industrial Fabrics Association International |
Textile Machinery and Accessory Manufacturers Association (TEMSAD) |
International Textile Manufacturers Federation |
Verband Deutscher Maschinen - und Anlagenbau - Germany |
National Council of Textile Organizations |
Engineering Federation (VDMA) |
HOT LEADS – reports from the show floor
Reflecting the global complexion of the textile industry, attendees registered from more than 80 countries. Aggressive marketing by the U.S. Commercial Service through their offices in over 170 countries with textile trade specialists resulted in six officially-led buying delegations from India (37 members), Pakistan (29), Guatemala (27), Vietnam (17), El Salvador (6), and the Dominican Republic (5). In addition, numerous others made their own way to Atlanta, with an unprecedented 25.3% of pre-registered attendees from countries outside the U.S.
As exhibitors noted, visitors were not "tire kickers," but serious buyers, as earnest booth conversations confirmed. Bill Mehall of Kaeser Compressors observed," We’re seeing better quality visitors and exhibitors here at this show than in past textile shows." When Harold Wilson of Air & Water Systems arrived, his goal was to have 50 solid contacts by the end of the show; he reported that at the end of the first day he had 40 good leads that required follow-up. Donna Annacone of X-Rite was enthusiastic as she said, "It’s been excellent, probably one of the best shows we’ve been to for textiles. Excellent, really good leads. There are quite a few hot leads we’ll close by the end of the year."
All the top U.S. mills were represented among show visitors, with most sending large delegations of buyers. A notable attendee was Roger Milliken, one of the foremost textile industry personalities and Chairman of Milliken & Company, who spent quality time at many of the exhibits on the first day, and is reported to have returned on the second day to continue discussions. Moreover, during the show, more than 150 Milliken employees attended the event.
Feedback from exhibitors confirms a generally upbeat view of the industry, in contrast to more gloomy attitudes of a few years ago. President of American Monforts Joe Okey, Chairman of the American Textile Machinery Association, asserted on Tuesday, "I’ve never been more encouraged. It’s better now than during the past three years." On Friday morning he commented, "Hopefully, we tied the ribbon around one order and we should get another order next week."
Clearly a corner has been turned as U.S. and European companies have navigated through changing times and discovered fresh opportunities. Apexical, a family-owned company for 106 years, reported they have doubled their capacity in the past year. Menzel attributes their survival and fresh growth to a combination of having no debt when hard times hit and to diversifying their business, seeking new connections in other industries as well as in textiles.
Good balance of attendees – "It is a new beginning"
The former Tube Tex Global Group chose the show floor as a setting to announce a new name and corporate structure to reflect their global business and strategy. Now president of Navis Global, William Motchar described his observations of the show, his company’s experience and his view of the industry’s directions.- "We’ve had a lot of international visitors from Vietnam, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Latin America. This show is absolutely needed and has a good balance of U.S. mill people and Asian and European. We’ve been well pleased."- The good quality visitors "have been steady all day. It speaks to the level of activity around the world. This show is good for them, too. The U.S. mills are still here and need equipment. Our backlog has never been higher and bookings are on a record pace over the past two years."
Motchar attributed his company’s growth to a theme heard over and over among many other exhibitors: a willingness to embrace change and to market and think globally while shifting strategies. Roger Hartwig of Symtech commented on the industry in general with "It is what it is and it is what you make it." While there has certainly been transition, Kurt Scholler of American Truetzschler summarized the new mood and encouraging direction of the industry, "Contrary to the atmosphere of our last show [which was] 'we are all going to die'– the atmosphere here is vital. It is a new beginning."
Looking ahead, show organizers are now in negotiations to determine specifics for the next ATME-I 2006® and MEGATEX, but in further confirmation of the success of this event, organizer Mack Brooks Exhibitions already has heard from exhibitors that many are eager to return – with larger booths to accommodate more equipment on the show floor. As AGTEKS Sales Manager, Nevzat Altug Kuzucu said of the event, "...We are totally satisfied with not only organization but also the results. Please kindly note that next time we would love to attend next ATME-I most probably with twice or three times more space. Please reserve our stand from now on."
Following up with a rave review was Frank Horn, President of the Fiber Economics Bureau Division of the American Fiber Manufacturers Association: "We all expected MEGATEX ‘06 would be one of the best organized and successful trade shows of the year - and that's exactly what it was. A great success with especially high-quality international participation."
In the meantime, perhaps the most effective – and concise – comment on the show was the sign posted on equipment in the Bianco booth: "SOLD."
