SPI and SPE to collaborate on future Antec conferences

U.S.-based industry organizations the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI), have announced plans to work together more closely on the next three annual SPE Antec conferences, in a move designed to add new dimensions to the events, attract more corporate exhibitors and sponsors, and increase attendance.

As part of the three-year agreement, the SPI now will sell booth space for the trade show part of the SPE Antec events in North America in 2013 and 2014. And as with the past two triennial NPE trade shows, Antec once again will be co-located with SPI’s NPE2015 show in Orlando, Fla.

In a news release, the SPI defined its role in all three Antec events as producing a “Business of Plastics” conference to be held alongside SPE’s technical conference, selling promotional opportunities for corporate sponsors, and contributing to the marketing of the entire Antec program.

The Antec conference consists largely of original, peer-reviewed technical presentations. During NPE2012, Antec 2012 provided 623 presentations and attracted 1,432 attendees. Antec 2013 will be held April 22-24 next year in Cincinnati; the conference then moves to Las Vegas in 2014.

“Building on the successful co-location of our Antec conference with NPE2012, the agreement between SPE and SPI will benefit both organizations by creating new avenues for growth,” said Willem De Vos, SPE’s CEO. “Our collective efforts will increase attendance at technical sessions, expand the trade show held during Antec in non-NPE years, add valuable new educational content, and support SPE’s strategy for international diversification.”

The SPI is based in Washington. The SPE is headquartered in Newtown, Conn.