by Nicole Mitchell, editor, The American Mold Builder
Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) is a new three-day event featuring an exhibit hall, education, first-looks at the newest plastics machinery and a variety of networking opportunities for all attendees. PTXPO was created to connect processors to the plastics industry community with the goal of helping businesses succeed.
For its first year, the expo will take place Tuesday, March 29 through Thursday, March 31. The show will be open 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and it will be open 9 am to 3 pm on Thursday. The convention will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, making it the first major industry event in the area since 2009.
“While we plan on having educational presentations right on the show floor, we don’t want the Plastics Technology Expo to become a hybrid trade show-technical conference,” said Plastics Technology Editorial Director Jim Calliari. “That means that we will continue holding our Molding and Extrusion technical conferences in the fall.”
PTXPO will be organized into pavilions, featuring over 200 exhibitors. This gives attendees the ability to easily plan their show experience. Categories of each pavilion include injection and blow molding, extrusion and thermoforming, auxiliary equipment, 3D printing for plastics, materials, recycling and moldmaking.
Mold builders, components providers, texture and engraving specialists, mold repair equipment suppliers, tool builders, hot runner providers and more will be at the moldmaking pavilion. Examples of the newest machinery and applications that will be showcased are blow molding machines for packaging, extrusion-specific dies, conveying systems and more. Those in the moldmaking pavilion will be available to provide solutions to attendees regarding related problems.
American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) will have a booth at the event, where it will promote its newest report, the Employee Attraction and Hiring Playbook – A Best Practices Guide. The playbook features best practices and industry insights related to the attraction, hiring and retainment of high-quality, high-performing employees, and was developed in conjunction with AMBA’s 2021 Workforce Development Task Force. The playbook is only available to purchase for AMBA members; however, it can be viewed by everyone at PTXPO. The American Mold Builder also will be at the event, and all attendees will be able to pick up the latest issue of the magazine at the AMBA booth.
Early Bird sales are available through February 28 for $50 per person. Beginning March 1, ticket prices will be raised to $65 and can be purchased online or onsite during the expo. If registration is completed by February 28, the PTXPO badge will be mailed, allowing for an easier check-in to the venue. For complimentary access to the general three-day PTXPO event, enter promo code 10089 at registration. n
For more information on PTXPO and to find AMBA-
member exhibitors, visit www.plasticstechnologyexpo.com.
