Of course, the biggest event for the fluid power industry is the IFPE/ConExpo show being held in Las Vegas on March 22-26. This is an industry show meaning that all product categories of fluid power components will be on display. Our Fluid Power Conference & Expo, on a much smaller scale, is an industry event. One technology is on display for individuals from many markets.
The attendees at these industry shows come from many markets like construction machinery, ag machinery, machine tools, food & beverage, and so on. One technology to many markets. Hannover Fair in Germany is a technology show with several technologies being represented to multiple markets.
The other kind of tradeshow where fluid power technology can be found is a market-based show. Two examples coming up in April are the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) being held in Houston on May 2-5, 2011 and the Wast Expo Show scheduled for Dallas on May 9-12, 2011. In these events, machinery and equipment from a particular market is on display for buyers of such machinery.
In the case of the OTC, the technology is all machinery used in offshore energy exploration, extraction, and transport. The Waste Expo show features vehicles and other machinery used to reduce, recycle, and remove solid waste, i.e. garbage.
Many fluid power manufacturers will display their components and technology at these market shows in order to market their products in the given market segment. Their customers are the machine builders who not only exhibit at market shows but attend as well.
The fluid power industry is very intertwined with other industries as well as within the supply chain. That is part of what makes it so interesting.
