12 May, 2011

The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc.’s 81st Annual Convention and its flagship Interwire trade exposition came to a successful conclusion May 5th after a four-day conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where attendance figures surged beyond the Association’s past two Interwire events. Total attendance reached 4,022, up 19% from the 2009 event in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Attendees came from 53 countries.

“Interwire had tremendous support from the wire and cable manufacturing community. More than 750 wire and cable facilities sent representatives – many sent multiple attendees – all with action items to accomplish at Interwire,” said WAI President Dominique Perroud.

More than 400 companies were represented at the three-day exhibition. Production solution demonstrations, held through the hall, covered topics ranging from surface treatment technology and roll straightening to FEP foaming technology, wiredrawing lubricants, and wire breaks.

Interwire had the support of exclusive sponsors: Southwire and ExxonMobil Chemical; educational sponsors: Sonoco Products; Gem Gravure Co. Inc.; and Dow Wire & Cable Co.; Cyber café sponsors: Chemson Inc. and Sonoco Products; 5K sponsor: LEONI Wire Inc.; Directional sign sponsors: SIKORA International Corp. and Skaltek Inc.; Lanyard sponsor: Carris Reels Inc.; hospitality suite sponsors: C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.; J.B. Hunt; Southeastern Freight Lines; and Tenold Transportation LP.

The American Wire Producers Association (AWPA) reported more than 160 attendees at its 2011 Wire Rod Supply Chain Conference. The 33 sponsoring organizations included AWPA member companies, affiliated associations, and industry press. “Holding this conference alongside WAI’s convention continues to be a formula for success and we are looking forward to 2012 in Dallas, May 21-23,” said Kimberly Korbel, AWPA Executive Director.

Interwire will return to Atlanta, Georgia, USA, April 23-25, 2013.