BOHEMIA, NY – May 19, 2015 – Setting historical highs, shattering every record in its 33 year history, Flexographic Technical Association’s (FTA) INFO*FLEX 2015 drew nearly 2,000 flexographers to its aisles on May 4-5 in Nashville, TN. Spiking attendance by nearly 10 percent, the event also expanded its show floor by 10 percent with a record 280 exhibit spaces. Resign rates also peaked with more than 200 booth commitments for the 2016 event obtained on site, equaling a show floor that is already 70 percent occupied.
Exhibitor Gavin Rittmeyer, Martin Automatic, remarked, “INFO*FLEX is the premier event in North America for converting. Narrow web is here. Wide web is here. I even get to see paper plate customers. While I might like to be a flexo purist at heart, I appreciate the presence of the complementary technologies—particularly the digital presses and finishing systems. It’s great to see it all on a single floor!”
In addition to the intensive networking, the interactive demonstrations of new technologies, and the product comparisons, the sprawling show floor featured:
- 32 new exhibiting companies for 2015
- 37 press manufacturers – traditional flexo, hybrid and digital
- 80% exhibitors that develop products/services for the wide web industry
- 75% exhibitors that cater to the narrow web and tag & label marketplace
- 40 companies address the latest in in-line converting
- 50 prepress companies featured a slew of new product developments
- A Solutions Theater that drew standing room-only crowds
At the conclusion of INFO*FLEX on day one, the networking spilled over into a two-hour social event that took place on the outside terrace of the Music City Center. Live melodies from one of Nashville’s hottest groups, the Elio & Hank Sinatra Band, filled the air as delegates continued the interacting amid food, fun, cocktails and guest impressionists including a lively Minnie Pearl and talented Johnny Cash.
An always popular highlight to the show floor was the Excellence Awards Gallery, where show-goers both admired and scrutinized the year’s best printed pieces that earned medals from the industry’s most prestigious awards program, FTA’s Excellence in Flexography Awards Competition.
“INFO*FLEX has solidified its position as THE only game in town. There is simply no other event that brings the global label, flexible packaging and folding carton printers/converters together under one roof” said Jay Kaible, FTA’s director of membership & business development.
Platinum Plus and Platinum sponsors of the 2015 INFO*FLEX Exhibition were: Esko; Kodak; 3M; Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.; DuPont Packaging Graphics; KBA-Flexotecnica; MacDermid Printing Solutions and Sun Chemical Corp.
INFO*FLEX 2016 is set for March 7-8 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX. For more information visit flexographic.wpengine.com or contact Jay Kaible ([email protected]) at 631-737-6020 ext. 20.
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About FTA: Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community—printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others–together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,650 member sites that represent more than 1,400 companies and 60,000 individuals. Foundation of FTA, founded in 1974, is the educational arm of FTA and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the flexographic printing industry.