Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Sustainable Plastics
  • Plastics News China
  • Rubber & Plastics News
logo-pn-color
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Processor News
    • Suppliers
    • More News
    • End Markets
    • FYI Charts
    • LSR World
    • Multimedia
    • NPE2021
    • K Show
    • Special Reports
    • Top materials of injection molders
      Recycled PET use by product category
      US PET, flexible packaging desintations
      Global fluropolymers additives market: CAGR
    • NPE exhibitors question handling of deposits for canceled trade show
      Exhibitors back NPE cancellation: ‘We couldn't take that risk'
      NPE2021 canceled as in-person event
      NPE reviews its options as pandemic prompts exhibitor to exit
    • Injection Molding
    • Blow Molding
    • Film & Sheet
    • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
    • Rotomolding
    • Thermoforming
    • Recycling
    • Machinery
    • Materials
    • Molds/Tooling
    • Product news
    • Design
    • What Keeps You Up At Night
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Sustainability
    • Public Policy
    • Material Insights Videos
    • Numbers that Matter
    • Polymer Points Live
    • Automotive
    • Packaging
    • Medical
    • Consumer Products
    • Construction
    • Videos
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • CEO Issue
    • Best Places to Work
    • Processor of the Year
    • Rising Stars
    • Women Breaking the Mold
  • Opinion
    • The Plastics Blog
    • Kickstart
    • Heavy Metal
    • One Good Resin
    • BRICS and Plastics
    • All Things Data
    • Viewpoint
    • Perspective
    • Mailbag
    • Getting back on the road
      How long will it take for EVs to replace internal combustion engines?
      Watching, and hoping, for progress in 2021
      COVID-19 stories dominate 2020 headlines
    • Kickstart: Heading back to the office ... sometime
      Kickstart: 'Have an adventure in life'
      Kickstart: More toys for your collection
      Kickstart: Microchips, masks and US manufacturing
    • Heavy Metal: Coronavirus edition, plus the work of working from home
      Don't put off succession planning
      What's a good gift for your cobot? Batteries?
      Here's some big ideas to mull over the holidays
    • Plaskolite wins 3M supplier award
      Green feet: Braskem partners with Dansko on bio-based clogs
      Curbell donates plastic sheet for prosthetics project in Ecuador
      Covestro volunteers build ramp for Ohio veteran
    • There was no choice but canceling NPE still a big deal
      The business case for producer responsibility
      Think divided government stalls plastics legislation? Think again
      ACC, NAM eye economic priorities in Biden presidency
    • Thermoformers: Would you believe a 12 percent gain?
      Just how big is thermoforming in North America?
      Changing names for compounders embracing corporate branding
      Diversity the key to outperforming the market
    • Thermoformers: Would you believe a 12 percent gain?
      The benefits of getting social
      Rising Stars shine bright future on industry
      Getting back on the road
    • Perspective: Plastics manufacturers — a surprising contribution to sustainability
      Plastics industry business owners: Listen to your future workforce
      Perspective: ‘Fake news' of a different sort?
      Perspective: Making products in the USA is good for the planet
    • Mailbag: Additional fees for electric vehicles ‘unfortunate'
      Mailbag: Where's the plastics industry's response to critics?
      Mailbag: Manufacturers struggling to follow COVID-19 safety rules
      Modernizing recycling infrastructure will benefit businesses as well as the environment
  • Shop Floor
    • Blending
    • Compounding
    • Drying
    • Injection Molding
    • Purging
    • Robotics
    • Size Reduction
    • Structural Foam
    • Tooling
    • Training
    • Maintenance can ensure efficient blender operation
      Dosing: Perfect for adding color
      Blending vs dosing: What you need to know
      Going low or high: Comparing volume
    • Colors and custom compounds
      In the laboratory: Compounding solutions
      Recycling content: Resins going ‘green’
      Compounding: Glass and other fillers
    • Dryer maintenance: Don’t err with air
      Dryers: Options for a shop’s process
      Dryer installation: Going central?
      Resins: Hygroscopic or non-hygroscopic
    • Electric injection molding presses: Efficiency is key
      Hydraulic injection molding machines
      Proper maintenance can prevent downtime
      Hybrid injection molding machines
    • Purging Hot runners: Open or closed methods
      Purging extrusion machinery
      Purging extrusion blow molding machines
      Purging: Chemical, abrasive and non-abrasive
    • Controls, special applications boost production, profitability
      Robot maintenance key for smooth operation
      High-speed robots: A rapid way to increase efficiency
      Robots: Every shape and size
    • Maintenance: Key for efficiency
      Shredders: Plastic in pieces
      Safety first for size reduction
      Granulators: The right fit
    • Structural foam molding: Flexibility for processors
      Video: Structural foam molding
    • Mold inventory: How many molds does a shop have?
      Molds: Innovation
      Mold changeover: Saving time and money
      How molds work
    • Labor: Apprenticeships may provide answer
      College training, programs
      Internships: Solving the skills gap in-house
      Lean Six Sigma: Transforming business operation
  • Events
    • Plastics News Events
    • Industry Events
    • Livestreams/Webinars
    • Ask the Expert
    • Polymer Points Live
    • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
    • 2020 Caps & Closures Library
    • Plastics in Healthcare Library
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
    • Polymer Points Live - February 2021
      Polymer Points Live - January 2021
      Polymer Points Live - December 2020
      Polymer Points Live - October 2020
    • Plastics in Healthcare 2020
    • Plastics News Executive Forum
    • Plastics in Automotive
    • Plastics News Caps & Closures
    • Plastics in Healthcare
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Resin Prices
    • All Resins
    • Commodity TPs
    • High Temp TPs
    • ETPs
    • Thermosets
    • Recycled Plastics
    • Historic Commodity Thermoplastics
    • Historic High Temp Thermoplastics
    • Historic Engineering Thermoplastics
    • Historic Thermosets
    • Historic Recycled Plastics
  • Rankings
    • Injection Molders
    • Blow Molders
    • Film Sheet
    • Thermoformers
    • Pipe Profile Tubing
    • Rotomolders
    • Mold/Toolmakers
    • LSR Processors
    • Recyclers
    • Compounders - List
    • Association - List
    • Plastic Lumber - List
    • All
  • Data Store
  • Directory
  • More+
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Edition
    • Newsletters
    • Sponsored Content
    • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
    • ENGEL Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Processor of the Year submissions
    • Sponsored By Ensign Equipment
      Filling Systems Customized for Any Process or Budget Need
      KraussMaffei
      Sponsored By KraussMaffei
      KraussMaffei Retools in US with investment from Parent Ownership
      Sponsored By Mitsubishi
      Innovative new technology from Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Corporation helps reduce emission footprints
      Canon Virginia, Inc.
      Sponsored Content By Canon Virginia, Inc.
      Canon Virginia Inc. brings collaboration to the table
    • KraussMaffei
      Sponsored By KraussMaffei
      KraussMaffei Retools in US with investment from Parent Ownership
    • Sponsored By ENGEL Machinery
      Tailored maintenance for injection molding machines and robots
      Sponsored By ENGEL Machinery
      Improve maintenance efficiency with e-connect.monitor
      Sponsored By ENGEL Machinery
      Maximum precision for lowest shot weights
      Sponsored By ENGEL Machinery
      Even more cost effectiveness for small precision parts
    • Shell
      Sponsored By Shell
      Food and Beverage Trends Impacting the Polymer Industry
      Sponsored By Conexiom
      Use Sales Order Automation to free up time for CSRs to focus on customers, not manual entry
    • Place an Ad
    • Sign up for Early Classified
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
January 29, 2021 11:08 AM

NPE exhibitors question handling of deposits for canceled trade show

Catherine Kavanaugh
Steve Toloken
Plastics News Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Plastics News photo
    The Plastics Industry Association announced last week it would not be able to return the first half of deposits paid by exhibitors after canceling its NPE2021 show.

    After canceling the NPE2021 show because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic, the Plastics Industry Association says it will not be able to return the first half of deposits paid by exhibitors and has decided not to have a virtual NPE2021 show.

    The Washington-based trade group, which owns the NPE trade show, disclosed those developments in an email that went out to exhibitors late in the afternoon Jan. 22.

    Some companies that planned to exhibit are wondering what will happen regarding the rest of their deposits, which were due Jan. 8. Some made the payment as a 2020 business expense, but others withheld it when the show was canceled.

    Conrad Bessemer, president and CEO of Novatec Inc., said the auxiliary equipment maker put $50,000 down on a $100,000 booth but didn't pay the balance. He and other trade group members are upset about the timing of the event's fee schedule and cancellation, which was announced Jan. 5.

    "The criticism of many members is that this was a freight train, which was predictable, and the organization seemed to avoid final judgment until the last possible moment — when the next deposit was due," Bessemer told Plastics News. "And, it is still unclear as to whether the organization is holding exhibitors to the next payment or not."

    The association canceled the show after it became apparent that the COVID-19 situation in the U.S. was worsening and it would not be possible to hold the May trade show. In the email to exhibitors, the group said it made the decision quickly.

    "Once it became apparent that there would be no path forward for the live event, we quickly made the decision to inform all of our exhibitors of this decision, in order to minimize any further expenses to you," according to the Jan. 22 email from association CEO Tony Radoszewski.

    In its email, the association acknowledged questions from companies about paying the second 50 percent deposit.

    "We have heard from our members and exhibitors asking about the status of their deposits for the show," the association said. "We understand that it's hard for companies to justify paying the second 50 percent due, given the circumstances."

    Bessemer called the communication "artfully worded" and he described NPE exhibitor contracts as "absolutely in favor of the organization and not to the favorability of the members of the very organization they represent."

    The trade group told exhibitors that because there are "significant ongoing expenses" that it incurs in planning the huge triennial trade show, it cannot return initial deposits paid.

    "The first 50 percent of exhibitor deposits have been invested in the myriad expenses required in the advance planning stages of the show, as well as to support ongoing operations for [the association], and therefore cannot be returned," the group said in its email.

    Association leaders had been saying for several weeks that they may not be able to return deposits.

    The show had been scheduled for May 17-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The next one is scheduled for 2024.

    "Our stated objective was to apply our deposit to the 2024 show. We will see if that happens or not. Ethically it should, but much remains to be seen," Bessemer said.

    Peter Gardner, vice president of sales and general manager of the LS Mtron plastic machinery division of Daiichi Jitsugyo (America) Inc., shares many of Bessemer's concerns. He said the South Korea-based company paid its first installment of $42,500 for an $85,000, 3,500-square-foot booth, but withheld the second half.

    "We are also trying to confirm about the remaining portion due by the contract," Gardner said in an email. "Although the [trade group's] letter states they understand why we would be reluctant to pay it, it does not specifically say they won't be asking to collect it by the contract terms."

    DJA officials also would like to know more about any steps taken by the association to minimize or recoup losses, Gardner said.

    "For example, is there any insurance coverage in place for business losses? What are the expenses which cannot be recovered?" he asked.

    The Jan. 22 email from Radoszewski also said that the trade group's leadership decided not to have a virtual version of NPE2021. It had previously planned a virtual version to run alongside the in-person portion.

    "The member-run NPE sales & marketing and executive committees and the officers of the ... board of directors, after evaluating all the factors and commitments involved in staging a virtual event, decided not to pursue a virtual show in 2021," Radoszewski wrote. "We will, of course, continue to explore all feasible options for an industry event that would serve to help strengthen the industry, our members and the association."

    Gardner called that announcement a surprise.

    "I would have thought it would be at least a way for them to justify keeping the funds paid," he said.

    NPE exhibitors are also looking at their options. Challen DeMartino, spokesperson for SI Group, isn't sure just yet what that will be after all the effort that had gone into event planning.

    "SI Group has been preparing for NPE2021 since attending NPE2018 and securing its booth location for NPE2021 in early 2020," DeMartino said in an email. "However, SI Group has been cognizant of the current global conditions and the health and safety of our employees remains our top priority. While NPE2021 has been a key event for SI Group for many years, we are planning to seek alternative meeting opportunities and other marketing initiatives in lieu of NPE2021."

    Bessemer said marketing and customer outreach need to be a constant and consistent approach, not limited to a triennial trade show.

    "Many of us were already questioning the value of this event and the extreme expense associated with it and this situation will only accelerate that as we all look at new ways of reaching customers," Bessemer said.

    Webinars and video conferencing have proved beneficial, he added.

    "Many machinery manufacturers increased revenue during 2020 without much business travel, without customer visits and without in person events," Bessemer said. "Many of us are increasingly focused on new ways of reaching our customers in this new normal and increasingly question the long-term value of a once-every-three-year event when our organizations need customer reach every day of the week."

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe today

    Subscribe to Plastics News

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.

    logo-pn-color
    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI 48207-2997

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1723

    Resources
    • About
    • Staff
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Media Kit
    • Data Store
    • Digital Edition
    • Custom Content
    • People
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Sitemap
    Related Crain Publications
    • Sustainable Plastics
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Plastics News China
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Tire Business
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Processor News
        • Injection Molding
        • Blow Molding
        • Film & Sheet
        • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
        • Rotomolding
        • Thermoforming
        • Recycling
      • Suppliers
        • Machinery
        • Materials
        • Molds/Tooling
        • Product news
        • Design
      • More News
        • What Keeps You Up At Night
        • Mergers & Acquisitions
        • Sustainability
        • Public Policy
        • Material Insights Videos
        • Numbers that Matter
        • Polymer Points Live
      • End Markets
        • Automotive
        • Packaging
        • Medical
        • Consumer Products
        • Construction
      • FYI Charts
        • Current FYI
      • LSR World
      • Multimedia
        • Videos
        • Galleries
        • Podcasts
      • NPE2021
      • K Show
      • Special Reports
        • CEO Issue
        • Best Places to Work
        • Processor of the Year
        • Rising Stars
        • Women Breaking the Mold
    • Opinion
      • The Plastics Blog
      • Kickstart
      • Heavy Metal
      • One Good Resin
      • BRICS and Plastics
      • All Things Data
      • Viewpoint
      • Perspective
      • Mailbag
    • Shop Floor
      • Blending
      • Compounding
      • Drying
      • Injection Molding
      • Purging
      • Robotics
      • Size Reduction
      • Structural Foam
      • Tooling
      • Training
    • Events
      • Plastics News Events
        • Plastics News Executive Forum
        • Plastics in Automotive
        • Plastics News Caps & Closures
        • Plastics in Healthcare
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • Industry Events
      • Livestreams/Webinars
      • Ask the Expert
      • Polymer Points Live
      • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
      • 2020 Caps & Closures Library
      • Plastics in Healthcare Library
      • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
    • Resin Prices
      • All Resins
      • Commodity TPs
        • Historic Commodity Thermoplastics
      • High Temp TPs
        • Historic High Temp Thermoplastics
      • ETPs
        • Historic Engineering Thermoplastics
      • Thermosets
        • Historic Thermosets
      • Recycled Plastics
        • Historic Recycled Plastics
    • Rankings
      • Injection Molders
      • Blow Molders
      • Film Sheet
      • Thermoformers
      • Pipe Profile Tubing
      • Rotomolders
      • Mold/Toolmakers
      • LSR Processors
      • Recyclers
      • Compounders - List
      • Association - List
      • Plastic Lumber - List
      • All
    • Data Store
    • Directory
    • More+
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • Sign up for Early Classified
      • Digital Edition
      • Newsletters
      • Sponsored Content
      • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
      • ENGEL Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
      • Processor of the Year submissions