CHICAGO - World Business Chicago (WBC) is partnering with the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) to welcome international plastics executives and journalists to NPE2009, the International Plastics Showcase at McCormick Place, June 22-26.
NPE will bring attendees from more than 100 countries to 1 million square feet of space, showcasing the latest manufacturing trends and technologies that drive growth in key markets including automotive, medical, consumer products, electronics, transportation, packaging and agriculture/construction/lawn.
No other manufacturing industry affects as many sectors of the global economy as plastics. The International Plastics Showcase provides a rare opportunity for WBC to connect with the business leaders from this sector, by co-hosting an opening reception for journalists on Sunday, June 21 and a VIP cocktail reception for industry leaders being inducted to the Plastics Academy Hall of Fame on Monday, June 22.
The plastics industry employs more than 1.1 million workers in the U.S., and the industry is key to the Chicago-area job market, employing 31 thousand – more than any other US metro area. And, while the plastics industry has a presence in every U.S. state, its GRP in the Chicago metro area is $3.2 billion – again, more than any U.S. metro area.
New pavilions at this year’s show feature the most current research and forward- looking trends in plastics. The industry’s commitment to new emerging technologies including sustainability, bioplastics, energy and nanocomposites, mirror Chicago’s effort to become one of the most sustainable cities in the world by using innovative approaches to environmentalism.
The plastics industry’s GRP is nearly 85% more concentrated in the Chicago area than in the US on average. By connecting with industry leaders, WBC can showcase how the city offers easy access to the world via its central location and two international airports, extensive road and rail networks and an impressive digital infrastructure. Additionally, the show provides WBC with the opportunity to showcase the city’s strong and diverse economy, talented workforce and incomparable quality of life.
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World Business Chicago is a not-for-profit economic development organization promoting metropolitan Chicago. WBC markets Chicago's competitive advantages, coordinates business retention and attraction efforts, and seeks to enhance Chicago's business-friendly environment. WBC's Board of C-level corporate executives is chaired by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
The NPE2009 International Plastics Exposition takes place June 22-26, 2009 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, with 2,000 companies exhibiting. The event is produced by SPI. Founded in 1937, SPI is the plastics industry trade association representing the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States. SPI's member companies represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. Visit
http://www.plasticsindustry.org or http://www.npe.org.
Media Contact: Karley Sweet
ksweet@worldbusinesschicago.com | 312.553.4658
