It’s Getting Close to That Time Again

Didn’t I just get home from the last NPE show? Sure seems that way to me, and likely to many exhibitors and attendees. But of course, it only seems that way. NPE2015, the Society of the Plastics Industry’s triennial event, is coming up March 23-27 at the Orlando Convention Center, in Orlando, Fla. Like NPE2012, it will be co-located with the Society of Plastics Engineers’ Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC).

You should bookmark the NPE website and check out what the SPI has planned for the event. Even now, for example, you can start planning your agenda by clicking on the Search/View Exhibits link on the NPE home page. That will bring you to the Map Your Show interactive floor map. By all means, bookmark that URL as well, as the information on that site will be updated regularly.

Plastics Technology has several things in the offing that we hope will help you plan your show experience and make the most of your time in Florida. They start with the next issue of this magazine. In the November issue, we’ll be reporting on the results of a survey we conducted of our subscribers last month (I hope you participated), in which we asked about important business issues they are confronting these days and what they’ll be looking for at the show to help deal with them. We’ll also be interviewing major OEMs who plan to attend the show to get a sense of what they will be expecting from you once you—and they—return from Orlando.

In our December, January, and February issues, we’ll start our new-technology coverage in earnest with NPE News Flashes, where we’ll report on innovative technologies for all processes in the areas of machinery, auxiliary equipment, tooling, materials, additives, etc. that you will see at the show. Before the end of this year, we will launch an NPE “Zone” on this very website, where all content related to the show that appeared in our print publication will be aggregated for one-click viewing. 

Then in March we’ll produce our Show Issue, a comprehensive examination of new products and technologies on exhibit in Orlando. (Of course we’ll be doing plenty of post-show reporting as well.)

We also have a brand-new electronic product offering that will be coming to your inbox beginning Jan. 14. It’s the Official NPE2015 e-newsletter, and you’ll be receiving it on a weekly basis through March 18 (then twice more afterward). It will be chock full of information on the show itself, exhibitor plans, new products, etc. Be on the lookout for it. I think you’ll find it handy.

It’s not too early to start thinking about the show. Yes, I know, it’s still about six months away. But think how fast the 30 months flew by since the last show. Don’t be unprepared. We’ve got you covered.