SPI Launches "Breaking the Mold’ Campaign to Celebrate the Reshaping of NPE and the Progress of the Plastics Industry

SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association has launched a campaign to mark an exiting new beginning for its triennial NPE international plastics exposition, and to highlight the new benefits that NPE2012 will offer to exhibitors and attendees, it was announced by SPI at K 2010 (Hall 13, Stand B91-28). NPE2012 will take place April 1-5, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.

Called “Breaking the Mold,” the campaign includes a graphic design with a fresh, colorful look inspired by the NPE2012 venue in sunny Florida—a dramatic change after more than 40 years of holding NPE in Chicago. Embodied in a new website now online at www.npe.org, “Breaking the Mold” spotlights opportunities available for NPE2012 exhibitors and visitors as a result of the move to Orlando, including substantial cost savings, travel advantages, more exhibits of working machinery, and a more “user-friendly” experience.

A key part of the campaign message is “Reshape the Future of Plastics,” highlighting the role of NPE2012 as a showcase for technological innovation and a catalyst for industry transformation. SPI has added a dimension to this message by choosing NPE2012 as the focal event for celebrating its 75th anniversary. Since1937 SPI has led U.S. plastics through its transformation from a small, self-contained enclave to the country’s third-largest manufacturing industry. Special displays at the show will celebrate the accomplishments of 75 years and the promise of innovations to come.

In addition to taking place in the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) at Orlando, NPE2012 will also differ from previous NPEs by occurring in April instead of June and having a
modified schedule for show week. But the biggest differences are economic and logistical, noted William R. (Bill) Carteaux, SPI president and CEO.

“A systematic comparison of possible venues for NPE2012 indicates that the move to Orlando will save the plastics industry $20-million in expenses, accommodate a broader range of budgets for travel and lodging, increase access to the show by air, simplify participation for exhibitors and visitors, attract more attendees from Latin America, and provide new opportunities for those looking to combine business with family travel,” Carteaux said. “In fact, so much about NPE2012 will be brand-new that it will be an amazing experience.”

The cost savings and logistical advantages anticipated as a result of the move to Orlando, combined with special package plans offered to exhibitors by SPI, have already motivated early purchasers of booths to select more space than originally applied for or to plan on having more machinery in operation at their booths, according to SPI.

NPE2012 Will Be a World-Scale Trade Show and Much More
SPI expects over 1,800 companies to exhibit at NPE2012 on more than 76,600 sq.m (825,000 sq.ft.) of space. Attendance is anticipated to be in excess of 55,000.

While NPE2012 will be the largest plastics trade show in the Western Hemisphere, SPI and partner organizations are working to increase the core value of attending NPE2012 by organizing events and programs to be co-located with the show. Included will be educational programs that will start on Sunday of NPE week, April 1, 2012. The NPE trade show itself will begin on Monday, April 2 and last for four full days instead of the traditional four and a half.

Here are some of the co-located events and special programs expected for NPE2012:
● Technical conferences, including hundreds of peer-reviewed presentations.
● Panel discussions and workshops for business development and training.
● Keynote presentations by high-profile industry leaders.
● Multi-exhibitor technology pavilions focusing on emerging technologies, sustainability, and specialized industry sectors such as liquid silicone rubber, flexible vinyl, and sealants and additives.
● Technology Theater. This facility on the show floor will present demonstrations, seminars, and sales promotions conducted by exhibitors.
● Plastics Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and banquet.
● 2nd International Plastics Design Competition.

Open to entrants from all nations, the design competition will showcase innovative applications by designers and processors serving appliance, automotive, medical device, packaging and other consumer and industrial markets.

New Website at www.npe.org Is for All Prospective NPE2012 Participants
The website now up and running for NPE2012 has sections for exhibitors, visitors, and the press. Special translated pages are in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Available news updates about NPE2012 include all press releases to date, an ongoing blog, and streaming videos. A section on Orlando includes links for more information.

A special feature of the NPE2012 website is the interactive "Live Floor Plan" showing the location of exhibitor booths. Already included are the exhibits of 67 companies that, as long-time exhibitors, took part in a special “pre-drawing” to select space. Several hundred more companies will take part in the full traditional Drawing for Exhibit Space in Orlando on January 12-14, 2011, when most of the space for NPE2012 will be selected. From then until showtime in 2012, the Live Floor Plan will become increasingly valuable to prospective NPE2012 attendees, enabling them to locate companies and pavilions and plan their visits to make the most of their time on-site at NPE2012.

The NPE2012 international plastics exposition will take place Sunday through Thursday, April 1-5, 2012, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The NPE2012 educational program will begin on Sunday. Monday will be the first day of the four-day trade show. NPE is produced by the SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association. Visit www.npe.org.

Founded in 1937, SPI is the plastics industry trade association representing the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States. SPI's member companies represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.1 million workers and provides nearly $379 billion in annual shipments. www.plasticsindustry.org.