It is fair to say that the wire and cable industry was looking to Interwire 2003, held May 10-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center, for signs that better times were ahead. By the type of activity that took place at the event, there was reason to believe that it was so. Many exhibitors reported that they felt more optimistic, that they believed the industry was picking up again. That sense was not an across-the-board experience-excess capacity and especially harsh conditions for some long-suffering sectors continue to be a problem - but the consensus seemed to be that the climate was more positive than expected, that there was real interest from attendees and that overall conditions and attitudes were improving. See p. 56 for a few of the more optimistic reviews on the event. Also, Equipment Part 1, featuring machinery of Interwire exhibitors, begins on p. 64 (Part 2 is in September.) The positive news of Interwire 2003 was not the numbers of attendees but the quality of those who came. The final numbers reflect the impact of the lengthy industry doldrums: actual attendance was 4,622, compared to the 2001 tally of 7,955. Yet the majority of exhibitors canvassed (see p. 47) said that their expectations had either been met or exceeded. There were several reasons fro that, but one theme heard over and over was that the attendees who came to Interwire 2003 were serious. Fewer in number, yes, but with concrete projects in mind and a willingness to buy.
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