NPE2027 sales on track despite plastics industry headwinds 

Selling trade show booth space when the economy is struggling can be a tough job, but early indications are that NPE2027 sales are off to a good start. 

“We are right on track,” said Angela Mealy, executive director for NPE at the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). 

Approximately 400 booth space applications were returned during the first month they were available.  

Mealy said there was some uncertainty about sales until those first 400 applications came in.  

Another positive sign is that companies that traditionally have big booths do not appear to be cutting back on space for 2027.  

“Based on what we are seeing, we are not seeing any cause for concern, but we’re not going to have the full picture until after space selection,” Mealy said. 

It would not be surprising if the manufacturing economy, which is struggling in North America and is in even worse shape in Europe, eventually has an impact on NPE. That was the case for the 2009 show when companies had to pay trade show costs during the 2008-2009 recession.  

The plastics industry is focused on this month’s K show in Düsseldorf, Germany, and the next NPE in May 2027 is still about 19 months away, but there are currently seven staff members at PLASTICS working full-time or nearly full-time to prepare. That number is expected to increase after Jan. 1. There are also 40 industry members working as part of various NPE committees. 

NPE2024 had 2,200 exhibitors who bought just over 1.1 million square feet of floor space. There were 51,396 registrations. Exhibitors were up 10.3 percent over 2018 and floor space sold was 10,581 square feet more than the previous show. PLASTICS does not publish separate totals for exhibitor and attendee registrations. 

NPE2021 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Acquiring booth space at NPE is a process. Online applications opened on Aug. 12. The first deadline of Dec. 3 is for applications and a 20 percent deposit on requested space. That gets the applicant a seat at the March 2-6 in-person booth selection, which takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. 

Results of a lottery will be posted on Dec. 16 that tells exhibitors when to appear at the in-person selection. Floor plans will be posted online on Jan. 14. 

Companies that are members of PLASTICS get priority in selecting a booth. Within member companies, there is also priority based how many times the company has exhibited at past NPEs. 

The amount of space requested on the initial application can be increased or decreased at the in-person space selection, and the second deposit is payable afterwards. 

Companies that did not submit an application by Dec. 3 can still exhibit but may select space only after the companies that made the deadline.  

However, floor space was sold out in 2024 and the waiting list grew to more than 500 companies. Not everyone on the waiting list was able to buy space. 

There is a significant discount in booth space costs for PLASTICS member companies. Member companies pay from $30.50 per square foot for up to 400 square feet of space to $27 per foot for 4,001 square feet or more. Non-members pay $51.50 per square foot. 

Prices are higher than NPE2024, when member companies paid $28.50 per square foot up to 400 square feet and $25 per square foot for 4,001 square feet. Non-members paid $47.25 per square foot. 

The largest booth at NPE 2024 was Milacron and its affiliated companies at 26,000 square feet. 

A PLASTICS team is attending Pack Expo in Las Vegas and will be in Düsseldorf this month to talk to potential exhibitors.  

“It is more important than ever to be having conversations with folks,” Mealy said. “You have to keep your fingers on the pulse. You have to know that there is something out there that could impact the companies that exhibit.” 

New visa restrictions and tariffs from the Trump administration could impact NPE exhibitors and attendees.  

“At this point, it is too early to say,” Mealy said. “So far, our exhibitors have not communicated this to us. We’ll keep our fingers on that pulse.” 

NPE2024 had 15,156 registrations from 133 foreign countries. Some 4,438 were from Latin America, a 9.9 percent increase from the previous show, and 2,801 were from Europe, a 23 percent increase. 

NPE’s ability to buck headwinds speaks to the strength of the show and the support it receives from the industry. We should all keep our fingers crossed for May 2027.