ISH North America 2004 – Final Report

• Third edition of ISH North America successful with 13,456 total registered attendees from 40 countries and 537 exhibitors from 16 countries
• Comprehensive seminar program features prominent speakers from across represented industries
• Co-located New England Plant & Engineering Show adds additional qualified audience

Total registration for the show reached 13,456 attendees from 40 countries, marking an increase of 14% over last year. The strongest foreign buyer delegations came from Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Taiwan and Turkey. The event was co-located with the „New England Plant & Engineering Show“ produced by Reed.

ISH North America presented an impressive diversity of exhibitors and product groups on the showfloor of the brand-new Boston Convention Center. Exhibitors reported excellent results that far exceeded most expectations. David Lipkin, Vice President Wholesale Sales with American Standard remarked: „We have seen all the principals, the power players. Distributor traffic has been great. The show has been a tremendous success.“

Numerous special on-site feature areas captivated the attention of attendees. The „RPA Radiant House“ offered an opportunity to examine onsite installations of radiant components. The keen visitor interest in this display provided evidence of the promising future of this innovative technology. The „SmartHouse“ presentation showcased advanced building technology from Europe. Also, hundreds of participants were all ears as industry icon, David Kohler, President Kitchen & Bath Group, Kohler Co., shared his vision on the kitchen and bath industry during a sold-out lunch presentation.

Increasing substantially from last year, the „New Product Showcase“ displayed over 100 product innovations. Awards were given in six categories in addition to the „Best Overall Product“. The winners were determined by a panel of industry experts as follows:

• Kitchen & Bath: ELKAY - Stainless Steel Sink
• Plumbing & Piping: NVent - PermaLynx
• HVAC: Armstrong - E12+E14 High End, High Efficiency Circulator
• Software & Business Efficiency: Perfinex, Inc. - Techsoft
• Tools & Equipment: Tools That Rock, LLC - Rock on Top Ladder Tray
• Hydronic Heating: MACNA/DeDietrich GTI 4-120, Self Contained Boiler, Burner and Control Panel
• Best Overall Product: NVent - PermaLynx

For the third year running the PHCC-hosted „International Apprenticeship Contest“ drew record participation from plumbing apprentices, who were challenged to assemble a three-piece bathroom including a toilet, a sink with a faucet and a shower pan with a faucet. PHCC awarded cash and other valuable prizes to the proud top three participants during its Annual Awards Banquet Dinner:

• First Place: Paul Vanderven - St. Louis/MO
• Second Place: Robert L. Schlueter, Jr. -Cincinnati/OH
• Third Place: Whitley Bailey - Coconut Creek, FL

Featuring numerous improvements, the popular ISH North America Seminar Program again proved to be an attendee magnet. The comprehensive educational program presented prominent speakers in seven industry-specific tracks: Kitchen & Bath, Plumbing, HVAC, Hydronics, Business Management & Marketing, Radiant Heating and Environmental Systems. Over 1,000 people took part in a total of 58 sessions, some of which were sold-out with standing room only. Comments submitted by attendees included:

"Highly advise the seminars - quality speakers.“ John Stretavski, Operations Manager, Nesi & Russo

"Very impressed with the quality of the show, people and seminars.“ Todd Burton, President, Burton & Sons

"This is the most comprehensive and well run plumbing and heating show I attend. I wish all were this good and provided as complete a cross-section of the industry.“ Steve Ebeis, Owner, Ebeis Supply

Broad-based Industry support continues to be the driving force of the growth and success of ISH North America. The show 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, event endorsers number over 35 associations and publications attesting to the broad appeal of this consolidated trade show. The ASA, RPA and PHCC Annual Conventions as well as the CIPH „Maple Leaf Reception“ were held in conjunction with the show.

“The ISH-NA Partners had the vision to consolidate an industry that was struggling with too many fragmented events.“ remarked Roland Bleinroth, President, Messe Frankfurt, Inc. Also in response to the requirements of participating exhibitors, associations and visitors, ISH North America will proceed on an every-other year schedule, putting the already eagerly anticipated fourth edition of ISH North America into McCormick Center in Chicago on September 28-30, 2006.

EXHIBITOR TESTIMONIALS:

GERBER FAUCETS: Ila Lewis, Chairman „We target both contractors and wholesalers. I love this show because we see the people we need to reach for both groups!“

SANIFLO (A Group SFA Company): Johan Bouwer, President „We had a tremendous show. All our work paid off. I fully support the ISH concept and will continue to do so.“

VIESSMANN MANUFACTURING Co, Inc.: Kenneth Webster, Director, Sales & Marketing „ISH North America is getting better and better. We had good quality traffic at our booth and a great opportunity to showcase our newest products. Sign us up for the 2006 ISH North America in Chicago!„

VIEGA NA: Paul Jappe, Marketing Events Specialist „We were packed all day Thursday and Friday. The show was an extreme success!“

HONEYWELL WATER SOLUTIONS: Steve Goins, Product Marketing Manager „Fantastic show! The foot traffic has been phenomenal. Consolidation with the RPA Association was a great benefit. Contractor attendance was outstanding. ISH-NA is the forum to get new products introduced to the market and to hear of new ideas to solve common problems.“

RAVEN PRODUCTS: Brian Sabala, District Sales Manager „Great Show! We have seen our current customers and are looking to expand nationally. We are getting the contacts to be able to do so.“

LINK WORLDWIDE SOURCING: Lawrence Chan, Director „The show is well-organized compared to other national shows we often attend. The quality of attendees is high and we have had excellent exposure at this show. We'll definitely exhibit again!“

NEOPERL: Marie-Helene Pernin, Marketing Manager „We’ve been so busy we can’t get to everyone that stops by the booth! They have had to come back!“

BENNETTE DESIGN: Theresa Dodd, Sales & Marketing „We’ve been non-stop busy. The exposure is unbelievable!“

THERMO TECHNOLOGIES / THERMOMAX: Dr. Mahjouri, President „The attendees and the products here are both very high quality. I believe I’ve found my new show!“

FLO-GUARD: Paul Candela, President „This is our first national trade show and the results were superb! „