Final Sur/fin 2007 Tally Tells The Tale

SUR/FIN 2007, held this past summer in Cleveland, Ohio, met and exceeded high expectations—boosting non-vendor attendance by 9% year over year and increasing booth spaces reserved by a whopping 30%. But that’s only half the story; a closer inspection of the numbers shows the event is steadily broadening its attendee base as it relates to the geographical diversity of attendees. 

Figures supplied by the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF), which manages the show, indicated 162 international participants representing 26 countries made the trek to Cleveland for the show. That number not only represents 12% of the total number of attendees at the 2007 event but also reflects a double-digit increase over the year prior. Leading the way were Canada, Brazil, Germany, Korea, Mexico, India, and Japan, which collectively accounted for more than 75% of international attendees present at SUR/FIN. Multiple representatives also hailed from Argentina, Columbia, Singapore and Taiwan.   

“I would say we definitely saw more international interest this year compared to past SUR/FINs,” said Cheryl Clark, director of events, NASF. International attendees not only made a respectable showing at SUR/FIN 2007, but they also actively participated in it, she noted. As the point person for the submission of technical papers, Clark reports that approximately 40% of technical papers submitted for consideration came from outside the United States.

Higher international participation was not the only factor that had a positive impact on the final head count at SUR/FIN 2007. There’s also evidence indicating tangible participation from different regions of the United States outside the core traditional Midwestern, manufacturer-based cities from which SUR/FIN typically draws high numbers. According to the NASF, attendees from the East Coast, Southeast, and West Coast collectively accounted for more than 27% of participants at SUR/FIN 2007. This provides further proof, according to Barry Lee Cohen, chairman of SUR/FIN 2008 and global marketing manager of Enthone, Inc., that it’s “not just a ‘Rust Belt’ show anymore.”

Even more telling than the overall attendee numbers and demographic breakout is the SUR/FIN 2007 participant profile. For instance, when categorized by “buying influence” on business purchasing decisions, NASF figures show 40% of attendees wield a “significant influence” while 29% represent the “final decision makers.” That’s right in line with the NASF’s classification by “primary job function,” which reveals that engineers, general managers, company presidents/owners, and purchasers collectively accounted for 60% of attendees at the show.

“The people who come to SUR/FIN are coming to the show in buying teams with their shopping lists in hand—and they’re educated,” Cohen stated. “They also have a real thirst for knowledge. They’re not only looking for what’s available today, but also what’s coming up next.” 

SUR/FIN 2008 is sponsored by the National Association for Surface Finishing (www.nasf.org). At SUR/FIN 2007, you’ll find a technical program that includes sessions focused on OEM and captive platers, as well as the expansion of exhibitors and attendees to reflect the entire surface finishing supply chain. For more information about SUR/FIN 2008, please visit www.sur-fin.net or contact Cheryl Clark at 202-457-8404; (e-mail) cclark@nasf.org.