The second edition of ISH North America was held Oct. 1 - 3 in Las Vegas at the new Mandalay Bay Convention Center, showcasing products from 540 exhibiting companies in more than 340,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Exhibitors came from 17 countries. There was also a Chinese Pavilion.

More than 11,800 attendees visited during the three-day trade show. Registered attendees came from 32 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces as well as 45 international destinations. The strongest foreign buyer delegations came from Australia, Italy and Mexico. Exhibitors reported brisk business with both domestic and foreign accounts.

“Traffic was of much higher quality at ISH North America than at some of the other, larger shows in which we exhibit,” said Don Gibson, plant manager for Alberta Custom Tee, Ltd. “More than 90% of our booth traffic was either a customer or a potential customer, as compared to 50% at other exhibitions.”

The New Product Showcase displayed 98 entries from various exhibiting companies. Awards were given in eight categories:

Kitchen & Bath: Aquanotion - “Two Flush”

Plumbing & Piping: Elkay - “SwirlFlo Water Cooler”

Heating & Ventilation: Uponor Wirsbo - “Wirsbo ProPANEL Series”

Software & Electronic Equipment: Accubid Systems - “Pocket Change Order”

Industrial Products: O'Brien Manufacturing - “Intel-A-Count / OBJ-2430 E”

Tools & Equipment: Bennette Design Group - “Plumbers Pad”

Air Conditioning/Refigeration: EZ Trap - “Model 150 'Ultratrap' Waterless Trap”

Hydronic Heating: Patterson Kelly - “PK MACH Series Boiler”

Best Overall Product: Climastar - “Electric Portable Heater”

In addition, PHCC hosted its International Apprenticeship Contest in which plumbing apprentices from all over the world gathered to assemble a basic three-piece bathroom including a toilet, a sink with a faucet and a shower pan with a faucet. The installation included the water, drain waste and vent lines. Scholarships were given to the top three participants:

First Place: Sergio Ibarra, California

Second Place: Manuel Oroz, Nevada

Third Place: Robert Ciesla, New Jersey

More than 1,000 people participated in ISH North America's six-track seminar program encompassing 54 sessions. The most popular workshops were: “Easy Money: How to Stop Doing the Things that Keep You from Being Successful” by Ellen Rohr; “Major Code Revisions on Drainage and Venting” by Julius Ballanco; and “European Heating Technologies: Utilizing Euro Design and Products in North America” by Paul Pollets.

ISH North America is produced in partnership with Messe Frankfurt, Inc., the American Supply Association (ASA), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association (PHCC) and the Radiant Panel Association (RPA). In addition, more than 20 associations and publications endorsed and sponsored the event.

The next ISH North America is scheduled for Oct. 14-16, 2004 at the newly built Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Visit www.ish-na.com for more information. <<