METALFORM

CLEVELAND, OH—August 8, 2005—METALFORM, the most highly focused metalforming and fabricating event in the industry, has seen an increase in both the number of exhibitors and square-foot space since launching its biennial strategy in 2003. METALFORM Chicago, a large equipment show held in odd years, experienced a 23% increase in exhibitors between the 2003 and 2005 shows – nearly doubling the trade show industry average. Regional METALFORM shows, which alternate with the Chicago show in even years and offer exhibitors limited booth sizes and lower cost, debuted in Louisville, Kentucky in 2004. The 40,000 net square foot floor plan sold out a month before the show and sparked a record 72 first-time exhibitors. Building on that success, Regional METALFORM 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee, is slated to sell 50,000 net square feet – 25% larger than Louisville. With more than seven months left before the show, 64% of the floor space is already occupied. Also in 2004, METALFORM launched the third leg of its strategy in Mexico City, where 40 exhibitors representing 66 companies occupied approximately 6,800 net square feet of the World Trade Center. METALFORM Mexico 2005 in Monterrey has already sold more than 11,000 net square feet, with 64 exhibitors representing 104 companies – a 60% increase over the Mexico City show. METALFORM’s overall growth reflects the findings from a recent study conducted by event marketing firm The George P. Johnson Co. and the Meeting Professionals Intl. Foundation. The study found that 53.5% of the corporate marketing professionals surveyed spend more on trade shows than on other event types – a 15% increase from 2004. One-third of those surveyed also reported that trade shows provide the best return on investment of all event types. These findings also support results from Tradeshow Week’s November 2004 corporate exhibitor survey, in which 30% of respondents said that they planned to increase their exhibiting budgets for 2005. With METALFORM’s two-year show strategy effectively covering the entire North American metalforming market, exhibitors will have a choice as to where that money will be spent. The show will continue to track growth in both the number of exhibitors and square-foot space for all three shows. For more information on all METALFORM trade shows visit www.metalform.com. METALFORM is sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), the full-service trade association representing the $41-billion metalforming industry of North America. Members companies are located in 30 countries, with the majority found in North America―in 41 states of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Visit www.metalforming.com for more information about PMA.