Coming attraction: A Visitor’s Guide to Plast-Ex 2007

Plast-Ex, Canada’s tri-annual plastics show, is just around the corner. Attendees at the event — held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. from May 1-3 — will see about 500 exhibitors, as well as more national pavilions than ever before, including displays from Austria, China, India, Italy and Taiwan.

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), the show owners, are using the occasion to celebrate 50 years of plastics shows in Canada. On display in Hall 1 will be some of the early equipment — injection molding machines, blow molding machines and extruders — that helped launch the plastics industry in Canada.

And don’t forget to pick up the special 50th anniversary booklet commissioned by CPIA, which will be available at the show.

PRE-SHOW EVENTS

On April 30, the Ontario Centres of Excellence will lead a one-day “Innovations in Plastics” program at the International Centre, featuring the latest research in leading edge commercial applications for plastics. Pre-registration is $150, while on-site registration is $300. A list of topics and a registration form are available at the show’s website, www.plastex.org.

Also on April 30, the CPIA is hosting an afternoon “Plastics Trade in the Americas” seminar, a discussion among plastics industry leaders and government representatives of the benefits of the North American Free Trade Zone, and the possibility of a “technology roadmap” to ensure that the Canadian plastics industry remains competitive in the global marketplace. The seminar takes place 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Westin Hotel, 950 Dixon Road, Toronto.

Later that evening, also at the Westin Hotel, the CPIA will honour Canada’s industry leaders at its annual Gala and Awards event, featuring the presentation of the CanPlast, Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards. Watch for profiles of these leaders in the upcoming May 2007 issue of Canadian Plastics.

SEMINARS AT THE SHOW

Each of the three show days will have a different industry focus that will be reflected in the educational programs. The themes will be:

Tuesday, May 1: Automation & Innovation in Manufacturing

Wednesday, May 2: Automotive/Transportation

Thursday, May 3: Packaging/Recycling/Energy Saving

Attendees will find a complete list of times and topics in the Pocket Show Guide that was polybagged with this issue of Canadian Plastics, or on the show’s website.

And don’t forget to visit Canadian Plastics at Booth 103 each day at 2:15 p.m., when our very own technical editor Jim Anderton will give a lively 15-minute “Introduction to Plastics” seminar, a very popular feature at our booth three years ago.

INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS

The International Centre is approximately a 15-minute drive from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The official show hotels are all on the “airport strip”:

Holiday Inn Select — Toronto Airport, 979 Dixon Rd., Toronto, Ont. M9W 1J9

$139.95; 800-524-8436

Quality Suites, 262 Carlingview Dr, Toronto, Ont. M9W 5G1

$129; 877-755-4900

Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Pearson International Airport, Terminal 3

$155; 888-627-7092

Westin Hotel (formerly Wyndham Bristol Place), 950 Dixon Rd., Toronto, Ont. M9W 5N4; $159; 800-996-3426

There will be free shuttle bus service between these hotels and the International Centre, as well as free parking at the venue.

PLAST-EX 2007 AT A GLANCE

Show hours:

Tuesday, May 1 — 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 2 — 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

Thursday, May 3 — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Show Location:

International Centre

6900 Airport Rd.

Mississauga, Ont. L4V 1E8

Show Website: www.plastex.org