Converting Industry Celebrates Inaugural ICE USA Show
BURLINGTON, Mass.—Thousands of converting professionals from 37 countries came together to see a comprehensive range of new products and technologies from more than 250 exhibiting companies at the inaugural ICE USA show, which took place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
According to a range of exhibitors, the show was a great success. “A lot of quality people have come to the show and spent time in our booth,” said Bob Pasquale, President of New Era Converting.
Kim West, Marketing Manager at SIMCO added, “We have been pleasantly surprised with the number and the quality of leads that we’ve received, and we expect to generate significant revenue from them.”
John Godbold, CEO of Ashe Converting, summarized: “This has been a solid show. We have some very serious and interesting sales leads from new potential customers, so it was certainly worthwhile for us to display and run machinery.”
Many attendees came to see the abundance of operating machinery and ongoing demonstrations from exhibitors including Atlas Converting, Manufacturers Supplies, Deacro, Kongskilde, Jennerjahn and CMC Cevenini. John Ferreira, Executive VP of Comexi North America, commented, “We used ICE USA as a platform to present our Nexus Evo Laminator and are delighted with the number and quality of sales leads generated.”
Hundreds of attendees also came to attend the technical sessions sponsored by AIMCAL and/or get expert advice on solving their specific challenges at the popular ‘Ask The Experts’ booth on the show floor.
“Our goal was to make this a complete converting show experience and fill a void that has long existed in the U.S. converting industry,” said Michael Boyle, ICE USA Event Director. “And based on the feedback from exhibitors, visitors, and conference delegates, we have accomplished our goal.”
Sales Director Bob Chiricosta added: “Our exhibitors have done a great job. The show looks great and many attendees are pleasantly surprised by the amount of running machinery and technology on display. It is encouraging to see so many converting buyers and technical experts make the most of the opportunities available to them here in Orlando at this first-class facility.”
Orders closed and announced during the show included the sale of a Titan ER610 compact slitter/rewinder by Atlas Converting to Plemsa, Mexico and the sale of two compact GR80 granulators/cutters by Lundberg to Argent International, Mich.
Ask The Experts
ICE USA provided a valuable new feature designed to help converting professionals find solutions to their specific technical challenges. Named ‘Ask The Experts,’ four industry consultants widely recognized for their expertise in specific segments of the converting industry were available during the show to help attendees solve their technical and operational problems. Fifty attendees set up appointments. Robert Appel of Crystal Poly Converters was one of the attendees who found an open spot in ‘expert’ Vincent DiTrolio’s calendar. “Vince took me through the principles of flexographic printing and all the specific and detailed requirements that I require as I need to purchase equipment, which is here, on the ICE USA show floor.”
Official statistics
Total ICE USA event attendance was 2,431 converting professionals from 37 countries, along with 275 exhibiting companies; 60 TAPPI PLACE Flexible Packaging Symposium attendees; 150 CEMA Technical Seminars attendees; and 298 AIMCAL sponsored 3-day Technical Conference attendees.
