2008 Arkansas Welding Expo

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, December 10, 2008 - Over 1,700 welding enthusiasts including professional welders and students from around the state attended WELSCO's annual Arkansas Welding Expo at Alltel arena.

The event showcased over 35 national welding suppliers. Miller, Lincoln Electric, Hobart, Thermadyne and many more of the nation’s top welding vendors provided hands-on demonstrations and educational opportunities. Customers and students were encouraged to participate at every booth and were able to buy welding products such as welders, abrasives, and clothing at significant discounts. Miller brought their Roadshow trailer and the famous OCC/Miller chopper.

New this year, WELSCO hosted a live auction of new, used and demo machines. Mike Porter, Welsco’s Malvern store manager, served as the auctioneer. Miller and Thermadyne both supplied machines that were auctioned off and 100% of the proceeds were donated to the Easter Seals organization.

Erin Justice of Lincoln Electric displayed VRSim's Virtual Reality Welding Trainer - the SimWelder. The SimWelder is a computer-based educational tool that simulates the SMAW and GMAW welding processes in a virtual environment. The Trainer helps students practice their welding techniques on tee and groove joints in multiple positions. Lincoln Electric and VRSim are partners in the development of the next generation of Virtual Reality Welding Trainers. Door prizes were awarded to those who had the best technique scores.

Plenty of Welsco's "Orange Shirt Squad" were on hand to help customers with questions, to find the best deal on the floor, and to thank customers personally for allowing us to be their welding supply vendor in 2008.

View the complete 2008 Photo Album.  (Our photo album requires Adobe Flash Player.)   

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About WELSCO - WELSCO, Inc. has served the Arkansas and surrounding states welding community for over 65 years.  In addition, WELSCO provides gases for industrial, specialty and medical uses.  WELSCO is the nation's largest woman-owned welding company.  Our Corporate Headquarters and Distributions Center is located less than 1 mile from Interstate 430 in North Little Rock on Crystal Hill Road. The facility incorporates a state-of-the-art acetylene plant and filling facilities for all industrial gases.  For more information, contact Angela Harrison at 501.771.1204.