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Contracts go out for 2017 Bluefield Coal Show

By GREG JORDAN

The Register-Herald

BLUEFIELD, W.Va.  — Despite the coal industry’s recent struggles and layoffs, large numbers of exhibitors are expected in mid-September when the 2017 edition of the biannual Bluefield Coal Show gets under way at the Brushfork Armory-Civic Center.

The Bluefield Coal Show, sponsored by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, is set this coming year for Sept. 13-17. In 2015, the coal show featured more than 240 exhibitors from 30 states showcasing the latest in the coal-mining industry, chamber officials said Tuesday. All indications show that the same number of exhibitors could attend this year’s show, Chamber President Marc Meachum said.

“Absolutely. That (240) is the maximum number we can take,” Meachum said. “We were completely full in 2015 and we anticipate being the same in 2017. We probably have about 60 contracts in hand already. We send them out already because companies sometimes like to split the cost into two years for their purposes, and the number of contracts is on par with what we had two years ago.”

Given what Meachum described as an “uptick” in the mining business, attendance is expected to be good. Coal prices and natural gas prices are going up, making coal an even more attractive commodity, he said.

Hal Quinn, president and CEO of the National Mining Association, will be the keynote speaker at the Media Appreciation Breakfast and officially will open the show on Sept. 13 starting at 9:50 a.m. Quinn will share his views and a new sense of optimism for the future of our industry and the coal communities.

“We’re just excited to get him to commit to coming here,” Meachum said. “It’s been a number of shows since the National Mining Association sent somebody, and we’ve got the top guy. Mr. Quinn is the head of the whole thing.”

Charles A. Peters, the exhibition’s general chairman, encouraged exhibitors and the industry’s leaders to continue to work together to increase productivity and improve the overall operations of the coal industry. He said the coal show is the perfect venue to learn and see face-to-face demonstrations, presentations and design for the entire coal mining sector.

Businesses interested in exhibiting at the 2017 Bluefield Coal Show can visit the chamber’s website and/or call www.bluefieldchamber.com[email protected]; or call 304-327-7184.

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