NPE 2015 Largest in 69-year History

The NPE2015: International Plastics Showcase, held March 23-27 in Orlando, Florida, was the largest in its 69-year history and drew the highest attendance ever in its first show cycle with mdg.

SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, which owns the show, projected the number of exhibitors to match and possibly exceed the record of 2,009 set at NPE2000 and attendance likely reached 60,000, well above the total for the successful 2012 show. The amount of exhibit space taken exceeded the previous record set at NPE2000 and was expected to total 1,060,000 net square feet.

Even more dramatic growth has taken place in international participation. A record 43 percent of all exhibitors came to NPE2015 directly from outside the US, including the largest contingent ever from China and substantial participation from Canada, Italy, Taiwan, Germany, India, Turkey, Switzerland, France and South Korea. As for attendance, SPI projected that international visitors will account for 28 percent of the total attendance, including a record number from Latin America – approximately 6,500 attendees.

“The great size and international makeup of NPE2015 reflects the importance and value of plastics and plastics manufacturing in our world,” said Gene Sanders, SPI senior vice president of trade shows and conferences.