NPE close to record number of exhibitors

NPE, North America’s largest plastics exhibition, is near-record size this year, and taking on a more international feel. Almost one-third of the 1926 exhibitors are non-U.S. firms.
“While growth in the number of exhibitors from outside the U.S. has been a continuing trend for NPE over several decades, the current increase represents a leap forward in the importance of NPE as an international event,” said Jordan L. Morgenstern, SPI’s vice president, trade shows. Sponsored by SPI, the triennial exposition takes place June 23-27 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The pre-registration deadline and discount for visitors to the show has been extended to June 19. On-site registration at the show will cost US$75; pre-registration is US$50. Visitors can register on-line at the NPE 2003 Web site (www.npe.org) or by fax or mail. The extension also includes those using guest invitations from exhibitors. According to SPI, the number of exhibitors at this year’s show is approaching the record set at NPE 2000. The 2000 show set three NPE records: number of exhibiting companies (2,014), net exhibit space (1,142,900 sq.ft./106,179 m2), and number of registered participants (90,142).
In late May, the number of registered exhibitors for NPE 2003 stood at 1,926, only 4% less than the at-show total of 2,014 three years ago. Thirty percent of exhibitors signed on thus far for NPE 2003 listed their headquarters in countries outside the U.S., as against 24.5% for NPE 2000.