EXHIBITORS GAIN BY SHOWS’ RELOCATION

Chicago, IL – November 15, 2009 – The Plastics Industry Trade Association (SPI) announced today that NPE - The Intl. Plastics Showcase will move from Chicago's McCormick Place, where it has been since 1971 to Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center in 2012. Last week, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) chose Las Vegas, NV for their 2012 show. This caused the city of Chicago and McCormick Place to lose two large exhibitions in the last few days. Both cited high costs for exhibitors in Chicago as the primary justification for their relocation.

Exhibitors have been bearing the brunt of increasing and, often, outrageous labor rates for far too long, held hostage to single source providers with no competitive options to act as checks and balances. The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) understands the business choice made by HIMSS and SPI to choose other venues. In this world of electronic communication and instant gratification, trade shows are still wildly popular, a medium like no other, providing a unique opportunity for face-to-face interaction with customers. When marketers have to cut participation - not for strategic reasons but simply because the rising costs make them impractical or impossible - the whole industry loses.

Chicago is a great city for exhibitors because of its ability to generate attendance and host meetings. McCormick Place is a world-class exhibition facility and the choice of HIMSS and SPI leaving for other locations should not be a reflection on either McCormick Place or the city but on labor rates that give both a bad reputation. We hope the loss of these shows will motivate leaders in Chicago’s exhibition industry to adjust the cost of doing business so that they can compete on a level playing field with cities like Orlando and Las Vegas for shows. TSEA members enjoy the experience of exhibiting in all three cities because of the variety of attendees and experiences each bring. They want Chicago to remain part of their event rotation

Bravo to HMISS and SPI for finally taking a stand on behalf of exhibitors. There is long way to go until they are afforded the respect they deserve.