NPE2012: SPI to hold NPE2012 in Orlando, Florida

The move marks a dramatic change for the largest plastics industry event in North America. Founded by SPI in 1946, NPE has taken place at Chicago’s McCormick Place since 1971, and that venue has been linked with NPE in the minds of industry people around the world.

SPI’s leadership selected Orlando upon the recommendation of the NPE2012 Executive Committee after a systematic comparison of possible venues. The study revealed that holding NPE2012 in Orlando would provide big reductions in the chief expenses incurred by exhibitors and attendees. These reductions could save the two groups an average of: 48% on utilities for booths; 19% on on-site hauling (“drayage”) and rigging services for exhibitors; 23% on lodging; and 11% on travel. The savings on travel from the US Midwest – a key plastics manufacturing region, with Chicago at its heart – would be even greater: 19%. The NPE Executive Committee determined that by moving the show to Orlando, SPI could save the plastics industry up to USD20million.

“The lower costs, simpler work rules, and more flexible logistics at the Orange County Convention Center will cut costs dramatically as well as enable SPI to build a more dynamic show experience by attracting new participants and encouraging bigger and better exhibits,” John Effmann, Chairman of NPE2012 and Director of sales and marketing for Entek Manufacturing Inc., said. “The improved conditions will lead to more extensive displays of new technology and larger and more numerous machines in full-scale operation.”

SPI noted three other NPE innovations accompanying the change of venue:

• The switch to early April from the traditional late-June dates will allow far more time for exhibitors to follow up on inquiries and leads generated before summer vacations.
• Instead of the traditional Monday opening day, NPE2012 will start on Sunday, with educational programmes and other special events; the trade show will be open from Monday through Thursday, eliminating the sparsely attended final half-day of previous shows.
• SPI will address the longstanding wish of attendees and exhibitors that exhibits be grouped by product category.

Orange County infrastructure meets the needs of demanding NPE show

NPE is one of the top five manufacturing trade shows in the US and the largest in terms of both weight density and power draw by equipment operating on the show floor. It poses other challenges to exhibition centres because of the great size of many processing machines on display, from giant presses to towering film lines. And the show places a great demand on local capacities for dining and lodging.

“In our comparative study of venues for NPE, Orlando demonstrated a greater range in pricing than Chicago for hotels and restaurants, and lower costs for incidental expenses like cabs to and from the airport and convention centre parking”, explained Jim Murphy, President of Davis-Standard who chaired the NPE2009 Operations Committee and is Vice Chairman of NPE2012.

The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando offers 2.1 million sq.ft. (195,000m2) of exhibit space in two large exhibit halls. The halls are connected by a 1,500-ft. (460m) walkway with moving sidewalks. Adjacent to the exhibit areas are 74 meeting rooms (235 breakouts). The total parking capacity is 8,227. According to the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., there are 115,000 hotel rooms in the Orlando area, 9,100 of them within walking distance from the centre. Orlando International Airport is 20 minutes away.