"We are extremely pleased with show attendance and sales," said John Ospina, Director of Convention and Expositions for AWS. "Since this was our last stand alone show, we are very happy to have ended a 53-year tradition on such a positive note. We look forward to establishing a new tradition through our alliance with FABTECH International."

The 2005 AWS Welding Show took place on April 26th-April 28th, at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Show features included live product demonstrations, professional programs and seminars, welding contests, specialty pavilions, and celebrity appearances by West Coast Choppers' Jesse James, and others. NASCAR's Casey Mears opened the show driving in his #41 Target NASCAR with incoming AWS president, Dr. Damian Kotecki, by his side.

AWS joins FABTECH International in November 2005, at McCormick Place in Chicago, for the 1st FABTECH International/ AWS Welding Show. Visit www.aws.org for more information on the professional program, conferences and seminars, and other show activities.

For information on exhibiting at FABTECH International/AWS Welding Show, contact Joe Krall, AWS director of expo sales at 800-443-9353, ext.297.