Hello and welcome to the new NPE2009 Event Blog. We’re excited to offer you this communication platform and look forward to sparking some engaging dialogue between now and June of 2009 when NPE2009: The International Plastics Showcase takes center stage at Chicago’s McCormick Place. I have no doubt there will be lots to talk about in the next 20 months or so. Whether you plan to attend, exhibit at or cover NPE2009 in the press, please join in the conversation—if you haven’t heard you will soon—We Speak Your LanguageThe blog isn’t all that’s new for NPE2009. Take me, for example. I’m Gene Sanders, SPI’s new VP of Trade Shows. I joined the plastics industry trade association this past summer. I have 26 years of trade show experience including two one-million-square-foot shows in the construction and broadcast industries, each drawing over 100,000 attendees. I’ve also “lugged some iron” when I directed the International MINExpo!I’m not the only new member of the NPE2009 team. As you learn throughout this show cycle, NPE is undergoing a transformation from the inside out. I’m going to focus on the inside for the moment and “introduce” you to the internal folks who are helping me put together what is shaping up to be the most successful NPE ever. Most of us are new, but we’re all seasoned trade event pros!Alan Carter, Sales Manager, Trade Shows
(Alan is also spearheading our new NPE Marketing & Promotional Opportunities Program—more on that later)
Phone: +1.202.974.5284
acarter@plasticsindustry.org

Tracy Cullen, Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Phone: +1.202.974.5282
tcullen@plasticsindustry.org

Phyllis Hortie, Director, Trade Show Operations
Phone: +1.202.974.5295
phortie@plasticsindustry.org

Felecia Marsh, Trade Shows Logistics Manager
Phone: +1.202.974.5285
fmarsh@plasticsindustry.org

For a complete NPE2009 contact list, click here (www.npe.org/exhibit/contact).

We will be updating our blog frequently—you’ll be hearing from me and other team members including our highly valued and trusted PR partner, Bob Martino (+1.914.478.0754; pr@npe.org).

Most of the NPE team is heading over to Dusseldorf, Germany next week for K 2007 (October 24-31). Any of you attending K? If so, be sure to stop by SPI’s exhibit at Stand 13/B59-18. If you haven’t already received one in the mail, be sure to pick up an invitation to our NPE2009 reception to be held during K on Friday, October 26, from 5:00-6:30 pm. We’ll also have on hand our new exhibit sales materials. Exhibitor prospectus kits mail next week signaling that the NPE2009 exhibit sales cycle has officially begun! Next stop—NPE2009 Space Draw February 19-20, 2008 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

We’re off to a great start.Hope to see you at K—and hear from you here!