SPI is the producer of NPE, the triennial international plastics trade show. Held in Orlando on April 1-5,  NPE2012 was considered a triumphant success by most observers. After being held for 40 years in Chicago, NPE2012 marked the first time the show was held in Orlando. The following statement concerning the death of Visit Orlando President and CEO Gary Sain was issued by SPI President and CEO William “Bill” Carteaux.

It  is with deep sadness that I share the news with the entire plastics industry that Gary Sain, the President and CEO of Visit Orlando (The Orlando Tourism Bureau), passed away unexpectedly on the evening of May 4th at an event in Orlando.

As many of you may recall from SPI events and articles in various trade publications, over the past three years Gary was extremely instrumental in helping to attract SPI to Orlando for NPE2012.  His tireless efforts and commitment to the show and our industry helped us create one of the best NPEs in its history.  Gary took some huge risks to ensure our success that could have cost him not only his job, but also his outstanding reputation. But as I got to know him better along the journey, I realized there was no way he would allow SPI, or himself, to fail in helping create the special event that we did with NPE2012.

Gary Sain (seated left) and Bill Carteaux (seated middle) sign contract that brought NPE to Orlando. Others: OCCC GM Jessie Allen (seated right), NPE2012 Chair John Effmann (back row, left) and SPI Sr. VP Trade Shows Gene Sanders.

Over the past three-plus years, Gary and I developed a close, personal relationship.  He was a true visionary in the trade show and tourism industry and probably had the best marketing mind of anyone that I have known in my professional career.  His ability to look at every problem and obstacle as an opportunity was tremendously refreshing.  Gary truly believed and lived by Orlando’s theme — “ORLANDO MAKES ME SMILE” — as he was always on top of the world with a positive attitude and a smile on his face.

The entire global plastics industry owes Gary Sain a generous amount of appreciation for all that he did for us. Without his help, support and unwavering commitment to our success, NPE2012 would not have been nearly as successful as it was.  For that Mr. Sain, we are all ‘smiling up at you.’

From a personal perspective, I will miss our friendship dearly. On behalf of SPI Sr. Vice President of Trade Shows Gene Sanders and the rest of the SPI staff, I want to express my deepest condolences to Gary’s family, loved ones and the staff at Visit Orlando.

Many of the 1,933 exhibitors at NPE2012 were showing something related to sustainability, especially the materials suppliers. Though you tried your best to cover it all, and had the tired legs to prove it, most likely you didn’t see all the sustainable materials innovations. Here comes a second chance.

Ann R. Thryft, senior technical editor for materials & assembly at Design News, has thoughtfully created a slideshow showcasing some of the materials innovations you may have missed in Orlando. She did all the heavy lifting, so you need only a few minutes to review it.

Click here for a quick overview of the latest in sustainable materials technology, and thank you, Ms. Thryft.

Even if you did not attend NPE2012 in Orlando, Florida (April 1-5), by now you probably have heard that the show was an over-the-top success for both visitors and exhibitors. Yet you may be skeptical. We all endure a lot of hype every day.

Fortunately, Mark Stephen, editor of Canadian Plastics magazine, has created a video of his travels around the exhibit halls that is the next best thing to the real thing — being there. The live visuals and Stephen’s conversations with participants convey the action and atmosphere far better than words or still pictures. To get “the feel” of NPE2012 as it was happening, click here, and happy viewing.

After NPE2012 closed its doors, your intrepid blogger and SPI’s Senior VP for Trade Shows Gene Sanders filed a quick report—while standing on a cloud of enthusiastic input from exhibitors, visitors, and one-time doubters.

At 5:00pm EDT, Thursday, April 5, the NPE 2012 edition closed its doors, ending one of the more remarkable stories in NPE and tradeshow history. It was fitting that SPI’s 75^th Anniversary marked a significant new chapter in that history as it is being written.

“They” said we shouldn’t do it. “They” said people wouldn’t come. “They” said Orlando couldn’t handle the show. “They” thought we were crazy. “They” were all wrong! The SPI and NPE industry leadership decided this was the right move for the show, and a much needed boost for the industry. “They” were right!

Over 55,000 attendees, a record number of exhibiting companies, and an attendee base made up of buyers, not tire kickers, a warm climate, a gracious, efficient facility, and an enthusiastic staff of staff professionals was the perfect recipe for a terrific show. Of course there were issues that needed to be handled, but they could be counted on one hand.

Asked what it was like moving the show to Orlando, I could only respond by saying that is was akin to someone who re-pots a beloved plant and nurtures it in its new environs. In this case, we took a big old tree, removed it, roots and all, and transplanted it to an entirely new climate. We didn’t know for absolute certain how or if it would thrive, but with care, attention, a lot of hard work and tough love, it is now stronger than ever.

Let me simply quote a few comments I heard yesterday to sum up the experience. “Our guys can’t get the quotes out fast enough”; “We had over 1,200 leads compared to “600+ in 2009”; “Our problem now is figuring out how to fill the orders”; “This is our first show and we paid for our investment three times over on the first day”; and finally from a buyer and longtime attendee “This has been the best show I’ve ever attended, as there were more of my suppliers than I can ever remember, well organized, and in one location. Thank you so much!”

So thank you to all who participated in the show: attendees, exhibitors, suppliers, NPE2012 committees, the SPI volunteer leadership, contractors and staff, to all we truly appreciate your support. And we have just 1081 days until NPE2015! And so, for now, I am ExpoGene “On the scene”!

Images From the Closing Day of NPE2012 in Orlando—April 5, 2012

On April 4, 2012 during its NPE2012 trade show in Orlando, FL, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, informed plastics engineering students and plastics educators that it will again award prizes to students for producing short videos on the positive benefits of plastics. Additionally, grants will be made to the prize-winning students’ academic programs.

About 250 plastics engineering students attended the SPE Student Awards Luncheon, a record number.

The 2012 Plastics Student Video Contest, whose theme is “Plastics Mean Innovation,” will open for entries on August 19, 2012 and entries must be submitted by November 19, 2012. Details will be posted by July 1, 2012, but for the participating students will be substantially the same as the successful 2011 SPI Student Video Contest. Yet there is a significant difference in this year’s program: In addition to the cash prizes for first, second, and third place winners, there will also be cash grants given the school programs in which the winning students are enrolled.

The announcement was made first by Wylie Royce of Royce Colors, who chairs the SPI Communications and Marketing Committee, to the Plastics Educators Group of the Society of Plastics Engineers at the Group’s business meeting held during SPE’s ANTEC sessions.

During the luncheon held to honor students for the papers they presented at ANTEC, Frank Kavanagh of Maguire Products, another member of SPI’s Communications and Marketing Committee, informed the approximately 250 students and educators in attendance about the scope of the contest and the additional prizes for the schools.

The number of students at the SPE luncheon was a record number for the event, reflecting the increased effort the Society has made to involve plastics engineering students in its activities. For SPI, the Student Video Contest is a feature of its renewed public outreach program, aimed at educating the general public on the benefits and value of plastic products.