American Welding Society Acquires Weldmex - Largest Welding Trade Show in Mexico

MIAMI -- The American Welding Society (AWS) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Trade Show Consulting (TSC) to purchase Weldmex, the largest welding trade show in Latin America. TSC is a trade show and conference production company which specializes in launching manufacturing shows throughout the U.S. and Mexico. AWS is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology and application of welding.

Under the terms of the agreement, AWS will maintain primary ownership of Weldmex, and assumes the rights to organize, promote, produce and manage Weldmex under the new name, AWS Weldmex. In addition, TSC will continue to provide support services in the production, marketing and management of the show.

"We are very pleased to join Mexico's premier welding event and expand AWS further into the Latin American market," said Ray Shook, AWS Executive Director. "Mexico's welding and fabrication industries have experienced impressive growth and the country remains an important trading partner with North America. We believe that AWS Weldmex will broaden AWS' reach and provide exciting additional benefits and opportunities to our more than 50,000 members."

The annual AWS Weldmex event attracts more than 5,000 welding equipment users, manufacturers and suppliers from Mexico, Central America and the United States. Currently in its fifth year, AWS Weldmex is scheduled to take place on January 29-31, 2008, at the new Centro Banamex in Mexico City. Categories of equipment, processes and accessories to be exhibited at AWS Weldmex 2008 include a variety of arc welding products, plus brazing, punching, bending, resistance welding, robotics, industrial gases, laser cutting and welding, soldering, tubing and piping, plasma cutting, and stamping.

Note: To view photos associated with this release, please visit the press photo gallery in AWS' press room: http://www.aws.org/pr/photos.html.

About AWS

The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 50,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 districts with 250 sections and student chapters. For more information, visit the Society's website at http://www.aws.org and click on "pressroom."

About Trade Show Consulting - TSC Eventos

Trade Show Consulting (TSC) has been producing manufacturing trade shows and conferences in the U.S. and Mexico since 1985 and has offices in Baltimore, MD, and Monterrey, Mexico. Among these events are Weldmex, Metalform Mexico, Pacific Coast Machine Tool Show and the Northern Alabama Machine Tool Show. TSC aims to join buyers and sellers in a neutral environment while helping North American companies identify and partner with Mexican distributors, representatives, and resellers.