Labelexpo Follows Trade Show Success Trend

Published: September 20, 2010, By Yolanda Simonsis

Add another 2010 trade show to the winner’s circle. The Foundation of the Flexographic Technical Assn.’s INFO*FLEX started the trend earlier this year in May with an astounding level of attendee participation. Now with the newest show edition, Labelexpo Americas (held September 14–16 in Rosemont, IL), the trend is continuing on the upswing.

While a full breakdown of the numbers is not available yet, Tarsus’ group communications manager Michael Hatton reports that “the total attendance for the show was 12,761, so we’re very pleased. Also, by the end of the show we had already re-booked 83% of the space for the 2012 show–the highest re-book percentage in the show’s history.” These attendance figures reflect a 5% increase over 2008’s show. Michael promised a full report on the show after reaching exhibitors for comments.

Such reports bode well for the trade show industry, which people were suspecting was on the decline. One Labelexpo exhibitor, however, confessed to me that their booth’s lead ratio had declined by 7% over the the last show two years ago. With show attendance reportedly up, the decline was a little mystifying, although the company’s marketing efforts, admittedly, had been cut. Is there a correlation? Maybe.

The next trade show on my schedule is CPP/Pack Expo, slated for October 31–November 3 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The show boasts several co-located shows serving up and down the packaging supply chain with CPP focusing on interests in Converting and Package Printing. Now these are shows that together test an editor’s true mettle–or at least the value of a good pair of shoes–because they take up ALL of McCormick Place. With new work rules in place by the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, we’ll see how pleased exhibitors are at the union-staffed facility, which recently lost then gained several significant trade shows. Only last Saturday, at the close of the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the carpenter’s union decided to protest an overhaul of labor rules at the convention center, thus preventing the close of exhibits for packing and trucking away. It all got settled, but supposedly the union has filed a federal lawsuit regarding the labor rule changes.

Back to shows. . . Another trade show event is on the horizon–ICE USA, scheduled for the Orlando Orange County Convention Center on April 6–8, 2011. Members at a Steering Committee meeting for the show, held last Friday on September 18th following the close of Labelexpo, are feeling very encouraged as well. Mack Brooks Exhibitions, organizers of the new show which acquired the the now defunct CMM brand, are also enthusiastic. “With several months left to go before the inaugural North American exposition and conference, nearly 200 exhibiting companies have already reserved more 40,000 sq ft of space,” according to a press release from Bob Chiricosta, ICE USA director of sales & marketing.

ICE USA event director Michael Boyle comments, “We are very pleased that the demand for exhibit space is so strong this far in advance of the show. We believe this demand is driven by the need for a machinery-led event, ICE’s reputation as a global leader of converting expositions, and the prospect of an improving economy.”

The Steering Committee, of which I am a member (representing PFFC), includes several of the converting industry’s most forward and innovative thought leaders, including Ed Montalvo of Montalvo Corp., Bob Pasquale of NEW ERA, Michael Pappas of Catbridge Machinery, Bob Dages of CoSO, Stephanie Millmann of Maxcess Corp., Kurt Oegerli of Max Daetwyler Corp., John Ferreira of Comexi North America, Craig Sheppard of the Assn. of International Metallizers, Coaters & Laminators (AIMCAL), Mark Spaulding of Converting Quarterly, Roger Halligan of H+A Intl., Bob Chiricosta of Mack Books Exhibitions, Michael Boyle of Mack Brooks Exhibitions, and Franz Hermann of ICE Europe.

For an update on ICE show plans, check here tomorrow.

What shows do you plan to attend for the remainder of this year and into next year?