(FABTECH: Chicago) -- FABTECH 2011, held Nov. 14–17, 2011, at McCormick Place in Chicago, shattered all records of its previous shows with the number of buyers walking the floor, the attendance of the educational conference, and the overall square footage of exhibit space. FABTECH is North America’s most comprehensive event for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing companies.

The exposition and conference welcomed a historic 35,457 attendees, 35-percent more than 2009, the last time FABTECH was held in Chicago. This year’s show had more than 1,300 exhibitors, filling a record 522,000 net square feet, and attendees from more than 80 countries.

“Exhibitors were enthusiastic about the activity level on the show floor and are looking ahead to 2012,” says FABTECH show manager, Mark Hoper. “Returning exhibitors were happy that leads were up from shows of the past few years, and numerous first-time exhibitors proclaimed that the decision to exhibit was a great choice for them.”

Many long-time exhibitors described FABTECH 2011 as their best show ever.

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