BLUEFIELD, W.Va. –– Despite the difficulties facing the coal industry, those in attendance at the 2015 West Virginia Coal Show in Bluefield remain optimistic.
“Obviously yes, there is talk about the industry and the state of the industry right now, but there’s more optimism than you would believe,” said Mark Meachum with the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce who puts on the show every other year. “Everyone knows what’s going on, the reality is what it is. But there’s still coal being mined and there’s plenty of it to be mined. That’s the message coming out of here.”
The show features almost exclusively underground mining machinery and equipment. Meachum said the show is staged every two years to allow the equipment companies to develop new products which are showcased to the industry.
“We have every leading company in the underground mining business represented here,” Meachum said.
The show is not open to the general public. Only those with ties to the mining industry are invited to attend. It’s a lucrative opportunity for the equipment manufacturers to show off and potentially sell their products to a large group of potential customers. Many show up with machines already sold.
“It’s either already sold or they hope to sell it here,” said Meachum. “There have been stories over the years of pieces being here and then being taken straight to a mine.”
Meachum said they were concerned about the 2015 event because of the severe blows the industry has experienced since the 2013 show. However, he said the exhibition space at the Brush Fork Armory is completely sold out and a lot of companies are still committed to the show which has been put on in Bluefield for the past 32 years. Meachum said the location of Bluefield in the heart of the southern Appalachian coalfields makes it an attractive location for all involved.
The show runs through Friday afternoon.