Focus on Quality
- Published: August 01, 2009, By By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor
It's no secret exhibitions and conferences have experienced a trend toward a more compact size. The Converting Machinery/Materials Conference and Exposition (CMM), held June 2-4 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Ctr. in Rosemont, IL, followed suit with the added challenge of a global recession to lower the number of attendees and exhibitors alike.
While attendance was the smallest the show has ever experienced at 1,850, a total of 150 exhibitor booths attracted quality leads, accounting for some upbeat activity on the show floor. The June 6-9, 2011, edition is once again slated for Rosemont.
Show features included the following highlights:
- Bestowal of a Converter of the Year award to deserving honoree Dan McFarland, president of Ampac's Performance Printed Films group. (Visit PFFC, June '09, p38, or www.pffc-online.com/flexpack/main/paper-growth-strategy-0609).
- A pre-show golf tournament debuted, co-sponsored with DiTrolio Flexographic Inst.
- Pre-show conferences/workshops featured PFFC's “Web Lines” contributor Timothy J. Walker.
- The Maxcess Univ. Conference Week, hosted by Maxcess Intl., included web handling instruction as well as hands-on demonstrations.
- A first-time State of the Converting Community panel brought together the chief editors of the five top industry publications.
- A mega-session of general interest to all focused on “Sustainability in Practice: Green Washing & Beyond.”
- Technology Centers focused on flexible packaging, narrow to mid-web converting, and folding cartons.
- Networking opportunities included a delegate luncheon, coffee break, and on-floor receptions.
- On the final day of the show, a Smartcar give-away was awarded to Tom Engel of Quad Plus LLC.
Here and in subsequent issues, readers will find an assortment of products that PFFC editors collected from CMM exhibitors.