Will there be interpreters? What languages? Where will they be located?
How do I register for IWF 2012?
Registration for IWF 2012 will be available online, by phone or by fax or mail beginning in January of 2012. To receive a registration form via mail, Click Here
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What is the cost to attend IWF 2012?
Pre-registration cost is $20 per badge and the badge is good for all four days of the show. For on-site registraton, the cost is $25 per badge. Discounts are available for team registrations of 3 or more people from the same location.
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What is the cost to attend Technical Conference Sessions at IWF 2012?
The cost for attending the Technical Conference session at IWF 2012 is $45 for pre-registrations and $55 for registrations made after the early registration deadline. You must register for a show badge to attend any Technical Conference session.
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What is the cost to attend the all day symposiums on the Tuesday before IWF opens?
The cost for the all day symposiums at IWF 2012 has not been determined yet.
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What are the show dates?
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 thru Saturday, August 25, 2012
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What are the show hours?
The new show hours for IWF 2012 are Wednesday, August 22, to Friday, August 24 - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 25 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Where is the Georgia World Congress Center? How do I get there?
The Georgia World Congress Center is located adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park at 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard in downtown Atlanta and is within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels. From the airport, you can use MARTA, Atlanta's rapid rail system, take a cab or rent a car. MARTA and/or shuttle bus service will also be available from select hotels. For detailed travel information Click Here.
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Is there more than one entrance to the Georgia World Congress Center?
Yes. The GWCC has two main entrances, however, IWF 2012 will only use the Andrew Young International Boulevard Entrance, located between buildings A and B. This entrance is convenient for pedestrian traffic from downtown, MARTA riders exiting at the Arena/Dome/GWCC Station, and parking at the Red Lot (International Boulevard). The Northside Drive entrance is located in Building C, very convenient to nearby parking areas in the blue and yellow lots.
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Will there be parking at IWF?
There will be limited parking at IWF. Almost 3,000 public parking spaces are available immediately around the Georgia World Congress Center. Additional spaces are available in independent lots throughout downtown Atlanta that are within walking distance of the Georgia World Congress Center. Due to the limited parking, please ride the IWF Shuttle Bus, take MARTA, or walk to IWF if possible.
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Is there public transportation?
MARTA is Atlanta's public transportation system, which includes a rapid rail and bus service. Rides are $2.50 each way. The Georgia World Congress Center is convenient to the GWCC/Dome/CNN/Philips (W-1) station. Inquire about the best way to get to your hotel or the GWCC via MARTA at the MARTA Information Kiosk (RideStore) at the entrance to the Airport MARTA Station or call 404-848-4711 or go online to www.itsmarta.com.
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What is the hotel shuttle bus schedule?
The IWF Shuttle Bus schedule will be posted in the lobby of each hotel served by an IWF Shuttle Bus. In addition, a Transportation Guide with the schedule will be sent to all pre-registered buyers with their badges. If your hotel is served by an IWF Shuttle Bus, you can catch the shuttle bus from your hotel to IWF each morning of the Fair. Each afternoon shuttle buses will depart from the Shuttle Bus Pick-Up area in front of the Georgia World Congress Center and return to participating hotels.
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What is the closest hotel to the Georgia World Congress Center?
The Georgia World Congress Center is located in the downtown area of Atlanta, so most of the downtown hotels are within reasonable walking distance to the Fair. The midtown area is approximately three miles from the convention center and most Midtown hotels are served by an IWF Shuttle Bus. The Buckhead area is approximately seven miles from the convention center, and most Buckhead hotels are convenient to MARTA or offer shuttle bus service to and from nearby MARTA stations. Hotels in the Perimeter areas are approximately 12-15 miles from the convention center. Hotels in the airport area provide shuttle bus service to the airport MARTA station. The downtown area is appoximately 15 minutes from the airport on MARTA.
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Where can I get help with travel arrangements?
IWF's housing company can help you with all your travel arrangements to IWF 2012. Special rates are available to IWF buyers on airfare, car rental, and hotels. Hotel and Travel Information can be found here.
Information on hotel rates and availability will be available in January of 2012.
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Can children attend IWF?
No one under the age of 16 is permitted on the exhibit floor for safety and insurance reasons. No exceptions will be made.
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Does IWF provide child care?
No. Children are not allowed at IWF and no exceptions will be made. Check with your hotel for suggestions on how best to arrange suitable child care while attending IWF.
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Are there wheelchairs and/or motorized wheelchairs available?
The Georgia World Congress Center has a limited number of wheelchairs available at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wheelchairs and motorized wheelchairs are also available for rent through ScootAround. Contact ScootAround at 888-441-7575 or Click Here to order online.
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Is there a coat and baggage check available?
Coat and baggage check will be available at the Georgia World Congress Center during IWF. The exact location will be published in the Official IWF Fair Directory which will be available when you arrive at IWF.
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Is IWF open to the public?
No. IWF is open only to industry trade, professionals, and serious woodworking enthusiasts.
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How much time should I allow to cover IWF? How can I prepare or pre-plan my visit to IWF?
IWF is an extensive trade show. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Since IWF takes place over four days, pre-planning is essential for effective coverage. To pre-plan, follow these tips: A few weeks before the show, read trade publications or visit IWF's web site for up-to-date lists of exhibitors and their booth locations. Use this information to determine your objectives for attending the show. Establish three priorities: (1) exhibitors you absolutely must see; (2) secondary exhibitors that you would like to see; (3) exhibitors with new ideas and new technology. Be sure to leave some time in your schedule for exploring. Then, using the Pocket Guide, Official Fair Directory you will receive at registration, the IWF website or myGPS kiosks on site, locate the exhibitors on your list to establish an efficient route of all your "must see" booths. For the best results: plan your visit, then follow your plan.
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How can I find out if a certain company is exhibiting at IWF 2012?
The IWF Exhibitor search on the IWF website can help you locate a specific company exhibiting at IWF. You can search for IWF exhibitors by company name or product and service category, view floor plans, contact exhibitors and view product information by logging onto your personal myIWF (available soon).
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Is IWF segmented by products?
IWF is divided into two areas: Machinery-related manufacturers (located in Building B, Halls B-2, B-3, and B-4) and supply/services/upholstery companies (located in Building A and in Building B, Halls B-1 and B-2). IWF also features an Upholstery Pavilion specifically for upholstery focused products.
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Are there any international machinery and supply manufacturers represented at IWF?
Yes. IWF has the most comprehensive display of both American-made and international machinery and supplies for the industry. Exhibitors from 35 countries and attendees from 85 countries have participated in IWF.
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Is there food service at IWF?
Yes. The Georgia World Congress Center offers IWF participants a choice of fast-food concessions, buffet-style restaurants, and full-service restaurants throughout the facility.
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Where can I exchange foreign currency while at IWF?
Some major downtown hotels and most large downtown banks have currency exchange. There is not currency exchange on site at the Georgia World Congress Center.
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Will there be interpreters? What languages? Where will they be located?
There will be an International Buyers Lounge at IWF 2012. Interpreters will be available for short-term consultation and assistance, providing translation services in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese.
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