WASHINGTON — Composites America 2000, an attempt to consolidate two industry trade shows into one, has been officially canceled.
Two trade groups, the Composites Institute and the Composites Fabricators Association, announced Feb. 9 that they have abandoned the concept of a single show in the year 2000. CI, a division of the Washington-based Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., and CFA of Arlington, Va., will continue to run their own, separate shows in the spring and fall.
Both groups said they will continue to work together on regulatory, environmental and safety issues.
CI's show, the International Composites Exposition, will be held May 10-13 in Cincinnati. CFA's Composites '99 is scheduled for Oct. 27-30 in Chicago.
In 1997, the groups began to discuss a joint show — and possibly even creating a single trade association. They formed a six-member planning committee. But in mid-1998, CFA officials said Composites America 2000 was canceled; but, CI officials continued to say the show could still happen — until the Feb. 9 announcement.
Leaders of both groups said a single show still could happen some day. Catherine Randazzo, CI executive director, said CI remains open to one show. CFA President Fred Dierks said: ``Never say never.''
Last year, some CI leaders defected to CFA and urged other CI members to follow.