NPE2024 Sets Several Show Records
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics. PLASTICS said final registration and paid exhibit space totaled 51,396 and 1,106,767 ft.2, respectively, with new records established for the number of international attendees, first-time attendees and paid exhibit space.
In a release, PLASTICS CEO Matt Seaholm said the large turnout, including record-setting international attendance reestablished the show as a “global hub for the plastics industry.” In total, NPE2024 drew a show record 15,156 international registrants from 133 countries. In addition, there were 36,123 domestic registrants, accounting for 70% of all registrations. The event had 20,378 first-time attendees, up nearly 9% compared to the last show in NPE2018.
Latin America was well represented with 4,438 registrants, accounting for 29.3% of international registrations and up nearly 10% from 2018. PLASTICS said on an individual country basis, some of the most significant registration increases came from Brazil, Colombia and Guatemala. The event also drew 2,801 European registrants, accounting for 18.5% of international registration and up 23% compared to NPE2018. The largest registration increase came from Italy.
Perc Pineda, PLASTICS’ chief economist, noted the strong overseas presence reflects the U.S.’s status as the second largest importer of plastics machinery, accounting for 12% of global imports, with European countries making up six of the top 10 countries delivering equipment to the states — equipment that was valued at $1.6 billion in 2023. Over the past five years, Pineda said U.S. exports of plastics machinery to Latin America have grown by 6.5% annually.
In addition to the strong attendance showing, NPE2024 marked the largest show in history in terms of exhibit space. The 1,106,767-ft.2 of total paid exhibit space, reflected a gain of 10,581 ft.2 over NPE2018, with the total of 2,202 exhibitors up 10.3% over NPE2018.
NPE2024 was a record setter for the show last held in 2018. Source: Plastics Industry Association
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