Focus on Quality

Published: August 01, 2009, By By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor

It's no secret exhibitions and conferences have experienced a trend toward a more compact size. The Converting Machinery/Materials Conference and Exposition (CMM), held June 2-4 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Ctr. in Rosemont, IL, followed suit with the added challenge of a global recession to lower the number of attendees and exhibitors alike.

While attendance was the smallest the show has ever experienced at 1,850, a total of 150 exhibitor booths attracted quality leads, accounting for some upbeat activity on the show floor. The June 6-9, 2011, edition is once again slated for Rosemont.

Show features included the following highlights:

• Bestowal of a Converter of the Year award to deserving honoree Dan McFarland, president of Ampac's Performance Printed Films group. (Visit PFFC, June '09, p38, or www.pffc-online.com/flexpack/main/paper-growth-strategy-0609).
• A pre-show golf tournament debuted, co-sponsored with DiTrolio Flexographic Inst.
• Pre-show conferences/workshops featured PFFC's “Web Lines” contributor Timothy J. Walker.
• The Maxcess Univ. Conference Week, hosted by Maxcess Intl., included web handling instruction as well as hands-on demonstrations.
• A first-time State of the Converting Community panel brought together the chief editors of the five top industry publications.
• A mega-session of general interest to all focused on “Sustainability in Practice: Green Washing & Beyond.”
• Technology Centers focused on flexible packaging, narrow to mid-web converting, and folding cartons.
• Networking opportunities included a delegate luncheon, coffee break, and on-floor receptions.
• On the final day of the show, a Smartcar give-away was awarded to Tom Engel of Quad Plus LLC.

Here and in subsequent issues, readers will find an assortment of products that PFFC editors collected from CMM exhibitors.