ICE Returns to Holland To Top its Debut Show
- Published: February 01, 2001, By Claudia Hine
Following its successful introduction in 1999, the International Converting Exhibition (ICE) returns to the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, February 27 through March 2. This venue, just eight minutes by train from Schipol Airport, offers 11 exhibition halls and 22 conference rooms.
Show organizer Angel Business Communications predicts more than 200 manufacturers will exhibit at ICE 2001, with Germany, Italy, and the U.K. emerging as the three countries most likely to be represented on-site.
Key slitting, rewinding, and sheeting machinery suppliers taking part include Jagenberg, WT Wickeltechnik, SM Engineering, ECH Will, Uteco, Elite Cameron, and Hanbury Engineering. They are joined by US-based Pemco.
In the coating and laminating sector, exhibitors will include Kroenert, Bachofen & Meier SA, and Nordmeccanica, as well as Polytype Fribourg and Werner Mathis from Switzerland and US-based PCMC.
ICE sales manager Steve Connolly says, "We're very much on track to achieve three of the four key objectives that we set ourselves for ICE 2001, namely, to retain existing exhibitors, to attract new ones, and to extend the size of the show's immediate catchment area to more fully encompass all of Europe and fulfill its potential as the first-choice dedicated international converting event for this important geographic market."
He adds, "The fourth objective is to build upon visitor levels achieved in 1999. Judging by the way `ICE pack' is shaping up - plus the program we're putting in place to ensure that visiting is made as easy and productive as possible - the prospect of overtaking last time's attendance is already looking very good indeed."
A New Approach to Conferences As an alternative to the more customary on-site conference program, Angel Business Communications has developed a "Freedom of Speech" initiative, incorporating a mix of independent workshops, seminars, and company presentations. Rather than spending an entire day in conference, ICE visitors and exhibitors reportedly will find that the Freedom of Speech program offers a flexible menu of activities in which they can exchange information, at no charge.
According to program coordinator Des King, making provisions for a daily debate open to both sides of the buyer/supplier divide will be a new departure for any trade event serving the converting industry.
King says, "So far, we've identified two definite issues for debate: the pros and cons of flexo versus gravure, including the possibility of digital printing taking market share away from both technologies; and the likely impact on current purchasing practices of on-line trading."
He adds, "The logistics entailed in terms of successfully meeting future supply chain management requirements could well be the subject of a third debate."
A key feature of the overall program will be daily briefings by industry experts on the opportunities now opening up in specific geographic markets, including Central and Eastern Europe, and a number of other fast-developing national markets.
For more information contact Angel Business Communications at ph: +44 (0) 20-7466-9132; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; web site: www.ice-x.com.
