Bluefield Coal Show Only One Week Away
September 4, 2019 - The Bluefield Coal Show is now only one week away and thousands of members and supporters of the coal industry are planning to converge upon Bluefield September 11-13.
This is the largest gathering of coal people in the nation in this year’s coal calendar and over 7,000 are expected to attend over the three days. The coal show is once again sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias and this year’s show has a new general chairman, Bob Ramsey. Ramsey is president of Peters Equipment and Ramsey Industrials and was named the new chair of the coal show in October 2018.
Bob Ramsey
“This is shaping up to be an excellent show,” said Ramsey. “We are very excited about the direction it is headed and there is a lot of enthusiasm for the show. We are anticipating an excellent attendance!” he said. Each year an industry leader speaks at the breakfast and then opens the show.
“This year’s keynote speaker is Jimmy Brock, President and Chief Executive Officer, CONSOL Energy,” said Bill Reid, Chair of the newly renamed Media & Exhibitors Breakfast, and Managing Editor, CoalZoom.com and Coalminerexchange.com. “We are very pleased to have such an eminent coal personality join us and everyone is looking forward to hearing his views on the future of our great industry.” Earlier this year, CONSOL announced plans to open the new Ittman metallurgical coal mine in Wyoming County, West Virginia in 2021.
Jimmy Brock
A new feature of the show this year are live TV interviews, which will take place on the opening day. “Exhibitors have been invited to apply for an interview and a panel is selecting them based on a new product or a significant contribution to the industry,” said Bill Reid, who is Chair of this project. “We want to give additional exposure to exhibitors while at the same time help to promote the coal industry.” The interviews will be streamed live and recorded on all chamber social media platforms and projected on large screens located throughout the show.
According to Debbie Maynard, Vice-President of the chamber, 191 exhibitors have signed up and there are 26 new exhibitors. The 2017 show had 180 participating vendors. The coal show continues to be a huge event for both the region and for the coal industry.
Bill Reid