Angelo Gangone Named One Of Top 25 Association Tradeshow Managers: Director Of AWFS®Fair Impresses With Move To Las Vegas

Furniture World Magazine

Angelo Gangone, AWFS®Fair director, has been named one of the top 25 association show managers by Tradeshow Week, the industry's premiere publication. An independent editorial team identifies leaders in the tradeshow industry from peer nominations, show data and other information about the show leadership. Leaders are selected for their contributions to the tradeshow and exhibition industry, as well as what they have done to separate themselves and their show from the competition. “Gangone impressed us with the bold move to take the Fair to Las Vegas, especially so quickly after he came in as Fair Director,” said Adam Schaffer, publisher of Tradeshow Week. “The AWFS®Fair was identified last year as one of the top 50 fastest growing shows and we recognize the value of moving the Fair to Las Vegas.” “We’re very pleased that Angelo is being given this recognition from such a key publication in the exhibition industry,” said Barry Howerton, president of the AWFS® Board of Directors. “We’ve worked with Angelo many years as a fellow member and volunteer with the Association. He knows our industry inside and out, and we’re confident he will help us grow the AWFS®Fair substantially in the Las Vegas location.” Angelo Gangone began as director of the AWFS®Fair in July 2003, jumping into the fray of Fair organization just weeks before the 2003 show in August. Gangone had spent the previous 11 years in the woodworking industry specifically with SCM Group USA. He established the marketing division for the company in 1992 and served as the company’s Marketing and Advertising Manager through May of 1997. He then became the Business Manager, responsible for sales of the company’s Standard machinery line. Since August of 2000, Gangone had split his responsibilities between marketing, advertising and sales management. Gangone received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management from Youngstown State University in 1987, and earned an MBA from Kent State University in 1991. The AWFS®Fair, which began in Los Angeles in 1957 and has been held biennially at the Anaheim Convention Center since 1987 averages 27,500 participants including attendees and exhibitors, with more than 760 exhibiting companies. By moving the show to Las Vegas, organizers predict an increase in both of these categories. The show is scheduled to utilize over 420,000 net square feet. “AWFS®Vegas” will take place Wednesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 30, 2005. For more information about 2005 “AWFS®Vegas”, go to www.AWFSFair.org or call (800) 946-AWFS (2937). Founded in 1911, AWFS® is the largest national trade association in the United States representing companies that supply the home and commercial furnishings industry. AWFS® has an international membership that includes manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, upholstery, materials, bedding and other supplies to furniture, cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers. The AWFS®Fair is a biennial event in which buyers and manufacturers gather from around the world to buy and sell the latest products and services related to the wood and home furnishings markets.