As managing editor of Will the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. vote to move the NPE 2012 and 2015 shows to Orlando, Fla.? Or will Chicago manage to keep the show in McCormick Place?
Plastics News broke the story on Friday about the two cities courting SPI's Executive Board at SPI's meeting in Arlington, Va.
Today the Chicago Tribune weighs in, with a follow-up story headlined "Chicago in battle to keep plastics trade show."
According to the story, "A revised proposal from Chicago at the 11th hour forestalled a vote on whether to move the triennial show to Orlando starting in 2012. ... Chicago's last-minute revisions were 'significant enough' that the trade group's board didn't take a vote Oct. 16, as had been expected."
This is an issue that many within the plastics industry have very strong feelings. So far we've heard from a few who like Orlando.
Herb Hutchison of Global Advantage Group LLC posted this comment on our story minutes after it was posted:
Chicago has held this show hostage and has been very inflexible to exhibitors in the past. Why would we expect anything different in the future? It is time to move on, Orlando would be a much more friendly enviornment for both exhibitors and attendees.
Over the weekend, Walter Cornell of Up and Running add this post:
As an installer of plastics machinery, I know what hassles and costs Chicago levies on attendees when setting up their displays. I've know of union workers living out of state that fly into McCormick to work this deal. It's that lucrative, for them and costly for attendees. Florida is a right-to-work state so unions don't control Orlando's impressive and sparkling convention center.Orlando has lower cost hotels within walking distance (no more bus/cab waiting lines) and with low cost airfares, international and domestic direct flights, people especially internationals, would want bring the whole family and enjoy the world famous attractions like Kennedy Space Center, The Golf and Beaches and of course Disney's Epcot SPI exhibit.
The world has changed, now it's time for a NPE change, let's try something new.
I've also heard from NPE exhibitors -- and attendees -- who think SPI should stick with Chicago.
Some think the flirtation with Orlando isn't really serious. They believe SPI is just trying to play hardball with Chicago, and win some concessions before going back to McCormick Place.
Well, SPI, I think you've got Chicago's attention. Now you're faced with a pretty big decision. What's it going to be -- Mickey's playground, or City of the Big Shoulders?
Comments (4)
Crain's Chicago Business has a bit more information about NPE, which it posted on its Web site:
The five-day show generated $95.3 million in direct spending, which includes transportation, lodging and entertainment, according to the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. That's a nearly 38-percent decline from the $154.7 million it generated in 2006.
“The industry is a highly competitive marketplace and Chicago was glad to be part of the process with SPI,” said a spokeswoman for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. “Any further comment at this time is premature.”
Posted by Don Loepp | October 19, 2009 3:22 PM
Posted on October 19, 2009 15:22
CHICAGO! It is plastics country. You get people from 500 miles around -- what do you get from 500 miles around Orlando -- water, fish, retirees, and ???.
Posted by bill diecks | October 20, 2009 9:36 AM
Posted on October 20, 2009 09:36
If I had vote on the SPI committee, it would be cast for Chicago -- a city that is driving distance for plastic industry professionals in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois - just to name a few.
With the advantage of proximity to Chicago, companies are able to send more attendees to NPE even if just for the day when budgets don't allow for more.
While Orlando might provide more family fun, Orlando does not provide the same access for industry attendees.
Posted by Jodie Laughlin | October 21, 2009 10:08 AM
Posted on October 21, 2009 10:08
Chicago has hosted the Plastic Show for many
years we look foward to hosting the convention
we know what they need and what they expect.
Posted by Edwina Buckley | October 27, 2009 2:53 PM
Posted on October 27, 2009 14:53