Dear Colleagues,
As 2024 gains momentum, conversations are turning towards the upcoming elections and the state of the economy. With the November elections on the horizon, there’s anticipation for potentially the highest voter turnout ever, making it an intriguing election regardless of one’s political affiliation. On the economic front, there’s a widespread expectation for interest rates to decrease this year, especially with housing prices maintaining record highs. Economists foresee a slight slowdown in 2024, followed by modest growth in 2025. Considering these developments, securing your booth space for the 2025 AWFS®Fair now becomes crucial.
It’s truly remarkable to reflect on the completion of another show cycle, as AWFS® directs its focus towards the upcoming exhibition scheduled for 2025 in Las Vegas. In December, the AWFS® Board of Directors and Staff convened in Dallas, TX for our biannual strategic planning meeting. This gathering offered us a valuable opportunity to reflect on our shared experiences, generate innovative ideas, and outline a strategic plan for the future of AWFS®. Facilitated by an external expert, the meeting proved both productive and constructive, enabling us to establish goals that will be closely monitored by our staff to ensure the successful implementation of each initiative. Ultimately, the aim is to enhance and grow the AWFS®Fair within our industry, offering cutting-edge educational programs and providing a centralized platform for attendees and exhibitors to foster business growth.
As my tenure as President concludes after two years, I extend my gratitude to AWFS® and our industry for this invaluable opportunity. It has been a genuine pleasure understanding the inner workings of the Association and engaging with our industry colleagues. I’d like to extend my congratulations to Michael Cassell from Weinig Holz-Her USA, who will be stepping into the role of the incoming President of AWFS®.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the AWFS®Fair in Las Vegas 2025!
Sincerely,
Rob Howell
President of AWFS®