The International Fastener Expo (IFE) concluded its first year in Phoenix, bringing together fastener manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and industry professionals for three days of education, networking and business. The move from Las Vegas marked a new chapter for the event, creating opportunities to connect the fastener community with a broader manufacturing market.
This year’s show welcomed 1,500 attendees and 515 exhibiting companies representing 25 countries. The program featured 20 educational sessions and three networking events, reinforcing IFE’s commitment to help exhibitors and attendees build relationships, discover opportunities and navigate a changing industry.
The new location opened the door for different connections and audiences. As Anna Hasman of American Fastener Journal/Fastener Technology International observed, “The show was extremely well attended, great exhibitors, and a lot of new foot traffic who had never come before. There was a whole crop of people in the aerospace industry, who could never make it to Vegas that we benefited from seeing in Phoenix.”
Education was a major focus of this year’s event. The inaugural International Fastener & Assembly Summit (IFAS) launched the week with dedicated strategic and technical tracks, including sessions led by industry experts and technical workshops facilitated by the Fastener Training Institute (FTI). The program reflected IFE’s broader effort to give the industry more opportunities to share expertise, address emerging challenges and strengthen its technical and business knowledge.
For Lindsay Hanson, the opportunity to attend through IFE’s new YFP Scholarship Tradeshow Award made a lasting impression. “Attending the International Fastener Expo was a fantastic experience that helped broaden my perspective on the fastener industry as a whole. Networking in person allowed me to strengthen my existing industry connections while also building many new ones,” Hanson said. “The classes and speakers enabled me to deepen technical knowledge and gain valuable insights about where the industry is heading.”
Across the expo floor, attendees explored topics ranging from operational excellence and practical applications of AI in distribution to marketing strategies for fastener companies. Exhibitors created opportunities for conversation and connection throughout the show, from the Fastener Fest Happy Hour to the WIFI and TIFI gathering spots and the ping-pong table at Parker Fasteners.
The IFE Keynote brought an economic perspective to the program. Jeremy Bess and Patrick Luce of Stantec presented “The Next Turn: Economic Signals for 2026 and the Road to 2027,” sharing practical approaches to interpreting economic trends and applying them to financial and strategic decisions.
Beyond the show floor, the IFE Golf Tournament brought industry peers together in friendly competition. This year’s top teams were:
- First place: Eric Gates, Rob Reynolds, Morgan Wilson and AJ Gallo
- Second place: Michael Morrissey, Dan Finucan, Chris Berner and Kent Shutey
- Third place: Paul Allar, Aaron Sewell, Arthur Morris and Mike Goldton
- Closest to the pin – Men: Nik Brkanovic
- Closest to the pin – Women: Min Lai
IFE 2026 also recognized individuals making a meaningful impact on the fastener industry. Tim Roberto Jr. of Star Stainless Screw Company was inducted into the Fastener Hall of Fame, while Taryn Goodman of Industrial Rivet & Fastener Company was named Young Fastener Professional of the Year. Audrey Williams of Martin Supply received the Edith Cameron Scholarship, and Lindsay Hanson of Brighton-Best International became the first recipient of the YFP Scholarship Tradeshow Award, developed through collaboration between IFE, YFP and FTI to help emerging professionals gain greater exposure to the industry.
“Being selected as the Edith Cameron Scholarship recipient was an honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend IFE 2026,” Williams said. “Being able to speak directly with specific companies and ask questions was extremely helpful and gave me knowledge I can apply in my daily work.”
The industry also came together outside the convention center. Nearly 700 guests attended Wednesday evening’s official IFE Welcome Party in the open courtyard at The Churchill, followed by IFE After Dark at Sazerac, offering additional opportunities to connect and unwind.
Reflecting on the first year in Phoenix, Show Director Anya Falcone said, “IFE’s first year in Phoenix brought new opportunities to connect the fastener industry with a broader manufacturing market. Forty percent of this year’s attendees were new to IFE, and attendance from Arizona increased 231% year over year. As we look to 2027, our focus is on building both sides of the marketplace: attracting more qualified buyers while strengthening the exhibitor base and the connections that make IFE valuable to the industry.”
IFE will return to the Phoenix Convention Center September 29–October 1, 2027. Planning is already underway to build on the 2026 experience, expand opportunities for the fastener community and continue developing the event’s education and networking offerings.
For updates on IFE 2027, exhibitor opportunities and the upcoming Call for Speakers, visit www.fastenershows.com.
