What started as a small event in Columbus, Ohio, more than 40 years ago has become a must-attend annual exposition in Las Vegas for the fastener industry. The International Fastener Expo (IFE) is currently the largest fastener event in North America, typically attracting hundreds of exhibiting companies and thousands of attendees from more than 30 countries.

This year, IFE is set for October 9^th to 11^th at the Mandalay Bay Resort’s convention center (Hall E & F) — and it’s growing locally and globally.

“We will have over 100 new exhibitors participating at IFE this year, 35+ from North America and 65+ internationally,” shares Morgan Wilson, Group Show Director with Emerald Exposition, which owns IFE. “This is going to be one of the largest IFE events in over five years!”

IFE is a unique and comprehensive B2B trade show that caters to the entire supply chain. Its goal has always been the same: bring manufacturers and distributors of industrial fasteners, precision-formed parts, and machinery tooling together. But the 2023 event will offer a few unique additions.

Before the official opening of the Exhibit Hall on October 10th, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the “Manufacturing Millennial,” Jake Hall. Hall is an advocate for manufacturing, automation, and skilled trades, revolutionizing how companies present through social media.

As the IFE keynote speaker, he will discuss innovation, technology, and how to get your current and future workforce excited about these advances. He’ll also cover how manufacturers are finding success in:

• Leveraging automation in new and supportive ways
• Adapting new types of automation from Industry 4.0
• Engaging the new workforce to attract and retain younger generations

During the Expo, attendees will have the chance to join the new Fireside Chats in the IFE lounge. These are micro-learning sessions that promise engaging discussions with prominent speakers, experts, and special guests.

The Fireside Chats will be interspersed between the typical Sessions on the Show Floor, featuring educational panelists and timely topics such as cybersecurity, 3D computing, succession planning, building business resilience, and others.

For those wanting to dive deeper into the technical aspects of fasteners, don’t miss the Fastener Training Institute’s (FTI) full-day class on October 9^th, Fastener Fundamentals: The Nuts and Bolts for Fastener Professionals.

Led by Carmen Vertullo, a fastener consultant and trainer with Carver Labs, the class covers must-know information for every fastener professional and will be interactive with learning exercises, case studies, and valuable take-home resources. (Early-bird registration is available until October 7^th, 2023).

“This is an incredible opportunity for those attending IFE,” says Jo Morris, marketing director of FTI. “Carmen is a highly sought-after instructor who brings years of fastener experience and an eagerness to share knowledge with others.”

Showgoers can also expect the mainstays of the Expo, including a Welcome Reception at Mandalay Bay’s Daylight Pool (October 9^th from 6 to 8 pm) and the traditional IFE golf tourney that same day at the Bali Hai Golf Club.

Additionally, the Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional Awards Ceremony will take place on October 10^th (at the Exhibit Hall Sessions State from 3 to 4 pm). These awards recognize professionals who’ve made significant contributions to the fastener industry on a national or global scale.

SourceGlobal is also returning, a dedicated sourcing area where distributors and importers can meet face-to-face with hundreds of international factories, without ever leaving America. Click here for the full IFE 2023 schedule.

“IFE is focused on growing and diversifying our event to better serve the entire industry,” says Wilson. “We’re excited to be building upon our specialty fasteners, industrial products, machinery, technology, and much more!”

Everything you need to know, including registration, is available here. We hope to see you at IFE!