International Plastics Showcase Opened as Largest, Most International in 69-year History
March 24, 2015
The NPE2015: International Plastics Showcase, which was held March 23-27 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, was not only the largest in its 69-year history, but also drew the highest attendance ever, especially from overseas.
SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, which owns the show, projected the number of exhibitors to match and possibly exceed the record of 2,009 set at NPE2000 and attendance likely reached 60,000, well above the total for the successful 2012 show.
The amount of exhibit space taken exceeded the previous record set at NPE2000 and was expected to total 1,060,000 net square feet.
Even more dramatic growth has taken place in international participation. A record 43 percent of all exhibitors came to NPE2015 directly from outside the US - a figure that does not include many companies based in other countries but exhibiting through their US subsidiaries.
International exhibitors at NPE2015 came from 37 countries, including the largest contingent ever from China and substantial participation from Canada, Italy, Taiwan, Germany, India, Turkey, Switzerland, France and South Korea.
As for attendance, SPI projected that international visitors will account for 28 percent of the total attendance, including a record number from Latin America - approximately 6,500 attendees.
“The great size and international makeup of NPE2015 reflects the importance and value of plastics and plastics manufacturing in our world,” said Gene Sanders, SPI senior vice president of trade shows and conferences.
He added before the show, “There will be more equipment on the showfloor than at any previous NPE, more machinery in actual production, more opportunities to connect with designers and material suppliers, a more extensive conference program, and timely new exhibit features such as NPE3D, the Zero Waste Zone, IDSA’s Design Center, and the Startup Garage. In plain words, this will be a show that is not to be missed.”
More than 600 exhibiting companies said they had machinery at their booths and more than 400 operated equipment.
Among the many material suppliers taking part in NPE2015, thirteen maintained large “customer service centers” occupying a total of 56,000 sq.ft.
These centers provided comfortable settings that were conducive to discussion, information exchange, and relationship building with customers and prospects.
Moving to Orlando from Chicago, SPI recently signed on to keep NPE in the Florida city through 2021, with an option for 2024 as well.
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