Published: September 10, 2007 10:19 pm      

Economic boost expected from Coal Show

BLUEFIELD — With thousands of the nation’s coal professionals descending upon Bluefield, officials are expecting a significant economic boost this week to the local economy.

The 2007 Bluefield Coal Show opens Wednesday morning, and organizers are predicting this year’s event will draw more than 6,500 people to Bluefield. Hotels and motels across Mercer and Tazewell counties have been booked since last September, Debbie Maynard, executive vice president of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, said.

“It has a major impact on the area from motels and restaurants to service providers to finding people that cater out here. Just think of all of the gasoline (that is purchased), and the people will shop here.”

Maynard said hotels all the way from Charleston, Beckley and Wytheville also are booked by coal show attendants. Maynard said more than 230 exhibitors and 300 different companies will be participating this year from 30 different states as well as the United Kingdom and Canada. The coal show is an invitation-only event, and is not open to the general public.

The pre-coal show activities kick off today with a “Friends of Coal Golf Classic” beginning at 11 a.m. at the Fincastle Country Club followed by a kick-off reception today at 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn of Bluefield. The opening ceremonies for the coal show begin at 9:50 a.m., Wednesday morning. Gov. Joe Manchin will serve as the keynote speaker.

Charles A. Peters, general chairman of the 2007 Bluefield Coal Show, said the event is one of the nation’s largest coal shows.

“I look for a great coal show,” Peters said. “We have been fortunate that we’ve been able to improve the coal show each and every year because of the advancements in technology.”

Peters said more than 30 companies will be showcasing among the new advances in coal technology at this year’s show.

“What you have to realize is that the coal industry is one of the most autonomous industries in the world with technology that is almost second to none than any other industry,” Peters said.

The Brushfork Armory was buzzing with activity Monday with roaring forklifts and giant cranes ascending high above the armory parking lot. Maynard said dozens of companies were already working Monday morning to prepare their coal show exhibits.

“During the last two shows with coal in such a demand, both shows have just peaked as far as exhibitor space,” Maynard said.

Maynard said dozens of volunteers are also helping to make this year’s coal show a reality.

“They have been here from 7 a.m. in the morning to 7 p.m. at night lifting and carrying and working with these exhibitors,” Maynard said of the coal show volunteers.

The coal show continues through Friday with show hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.

Maynard said many local companies that participated in the original show in 1976 are returning for the 2007 Bluefield Coal Show.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com