Gabrielle Hampson
ACMA Marketing and Communications Manager
703-525-0511
ghampson@acmanet.org

COMPOSITES & POLYCON 2007 Attracts Nearly 4,000 Attendees

November 1, 2007 (Arlington, Va.) – The American Composites Manufacturers Association’s (ACMA) COMPOSITES & POLYCON 2007, held October 17-19 in Tampa, Fla., was one the organization’s largest conference and trade shows. With nearly 4,000 registered attendees, this year’s show saw a nearly 6 percent increase (237 more attendees) from last year’s show.

The annual three-day show drew people from 49 states and 60 countries.  Of the total number of show attendees, 14 percent were international. There were 232 exhibitors.

“The significant increase in attendance this year underscores the importance of COMPOSITES & POLYCON to the business objectives of our members and others in the composites industry, especially now, when facing a downturn in markets such as building and construction,” says ACMA’s Executive Director Tom Dobbins.

Entries for ACMA’s Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE), sponsored by AOC and Composites One, were on display on the trade show floor during exhibit hall hours. These awards are to recognize technology advancements in the composites industry. The entries for the Pinnacle awards competition, sponsored by Reichhold, also were on display during the trade show. This award competition is designed to salute creativity and innovation in the cast polymer industry. Both the ACE and Pinnacle awards were presented at the show’s Awards Luncheon.

In addition to various ACMA committee meetings and business sessions, there were more than 60 educational sessions and 41 technical paper presentations that were heavily attended.  This year, Tampa area Boy Scouts had a chance to visit the exhibition floor, talk to industry professionals and participate in a hands-on model rocket lamination activity in the demonstration tent –all earning credit toward the Boy Scouts’ Composites Materials Merit Badge.

Attendees also enjoyed a number of product showcase demonstrations by ACMA member companies including: Advanced Micro-fiber Infused Closed Molding Technology by Advanced Composites International Pty, Ltd.; The Power of Closed Mold Technology by Composites One; Spray Granite by Gruber Systems; Innovations in Toughened Methacrylate Adhesives by IPS Weld-On®; Casting of Polymer Modified Concrete Countertops by RimCraft Technologies, Inc., and Reclaimed FRP in Spray Up Applications by R.J. Marshall.

Dr. Stan Duobinis, President of Crystal Ball Economics, Inc. and former Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Home Builders, delivered the keynote speech on “The Housing Forecast—Is the Turnaround Here?” Dick Lyles, Leadership Legacies, LLC, led a heavily attended CEO/Senior Management Forum titled “Lead Your Company to Prosperity.”

Nearly two dozen conference attendees participated in Certified Composites Technician certification tutorials and 34 composites professionals took certification exams on-site during COMPOSITES & POLYCON 2007.

In response to member and attendee feedback, ACMA announced that it will move the COMPOSITES & POLYCON show to a winter schedule, pushing forward the next show to early 2009.  The association will soon announce the specific dates and location of COMPOSTIES & POLYCON 2009.

“Exhibitors and attendees pleased with the outcome of this year’s show have indicated enthusiasm for ACMA moving our next show to early 2009.  ACMA believes that moving the show to a winter timeframe, will improve COMPOSITES & POLYCON for exhibitors as well as attendees, ultimately maximizing opportunities for the success of its members,” says Dobbins.