Exhibitor numbers and pre-registrations at INFORMEX® 2006 were up on 2005 as CMPi opened the flagship US chemical trade show today (15 February) at Orlando's Orange County Exhibition Centre. The first INFORMEX® under CMPi ownership and management, the show looks to comfortably exceed the 4,100 footfall and 480 booths at Las Vegas last year.
The organisers - who also run the widely-respected CPhI pharma ingredients shows - announced that China would be the first destination in November this year in a planned new series of overseas INFORMEX® shows.
Pre-registrations for Orlando were 30% ahead of 2005. The 500 exhibitors - including 110 at the show for the first time - are from 39 countries, with the leading representation being USA (285 exhibitors); China (76); the UK (27); Italy (21); Japan (12) and Germany (10). Non-US exhibitors account for 43% of the total, emphasising the show's international appeal.
CMPi purchased INFORMEX® last August from SOCMA - the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association - which continues as lead sponsor and US show partner. CMPi has recently finalised a new team to develop and expand the US event, and opened an additional US office at the Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ.
Commenting as INFORMEX® opened, Chemical and Pharma Ingredients Group Exhibitions Director Kate Chambers said: "The improved figures for 2006 are an impressive tribute to the show - especially given the late venue change to Orlando, and a business climate that continues to be challenging across much of the US custom chemical sector. They underline the recognised importance of INFORMEX® as the premier US meeting point for the custom and pharma chemicals sector."
INFORMEX® 2007/2008
In 2007, INFORMEX® will be heading west, with the show being staged in San Francisco on Tuesday 13 - Friday 16 February 2007.
INFORMEX® will be held in the Moscone Center West, the newest element of the city center complex - completed in 2003 - and which played host to the BIO convention in 2004. Co-management will be through CMPi's US West Coast office in the city, working with CMPi in Princeton. For 2008, CMPi currently plans that INFORMEX® will return to its spiritual home in New Orleans' Morial Convention Center. Show dates will be Tuesday 29 January - Friday 1 February.
Further INFORMEX® and CPhI events:
Keeping its promise to take INFORMEX® global, CMPi is taking the show to China, where the first non-US event will be held at Guangzhou's Liuhua complex, opening dates being Monday 6 - Wednesday 8 November. (See:www.sinohotelguide.com/cantonfair/about/liuhua.html) The global roll-out of the INFORMEX® brand will continue with the 2007 debut of two further new INFORMEX® events. Location and date announcements will follow later this year.
Asia's growing importance across the whole pharma sector is also a key driver for the expansion of CMPi's dedicated CPhI pharma ingredients shows. Joining the established CPhI Japan (April 06) and CPhI China (June 06) will be the new CPhI India, being held in Mumbai in December 2006.
Additionally, and to embrace key development sectors, CMPi is planning further expansion of its ICSE (contract services) and P-MEC (machinery and equipment) 'shows-in-show'. These have become increasingly successful elements of the CPhI pharma events and affiliations with 2007 shows will be announced in the coming months.
Reviewing CMPi's show development strategy, Kate Chambers said: "INFORMEX® is distinct for its recognized networking value and relaxed informality - a profile that can meet clear needs in the wider custom chemical marketplace. Given its growth, China was a natural destination in taking INFORMEX® beyond the US for the first time". She continued: "Creating and developing new industry meeting points to meet demand in new show locations is only part of the story. Our equal priority is to ensure that exhibitors and visitors see rising added value from the time and investment they commit to each of our events."
She concluded: "With the leading chemical and pharma ingredients shows now under single management, we therefore want to ensure that the development of the INFORMEX®, CPhI and ICSE/P-MEC event brands benefits from cross-fertilising their respective best features and proven ideas."
CMPi's 2006 show programme has 11 CPhI/INFORMEX® and associated events. By end-2009, planned new shows and "shows-in-show" will have raised the total to at least 17 annual events, giving custom chemical and pharma ingredients players an unmatched range of marketing platform solutions and options.
Notes to Editors:
- CMP Information (CMPi) is the UK-headquartered professional media division of United Business Media plc (UBM), and produces magazines, exhibitions, conferences, awards, directories and websites for over 20 specialist business-to-business markets. With 50 publications and 35 exhibitions, CMPi is prominent in the healthcare, property, entertainment, travel, agriculture and print sectors. The company recorded 2004 revenues of GBP159.3m., and employs approximately 900 people in the UK, US and Holland. See www.cmpinformation.com
- CPhI Japan 2006 is being held on 24-26 April at BIG SIGHT, Tokyo and CPhI China 2006 is set for 27 - 29 June, at Pudong, Shanghai. CPhI Worldwide 2006 will be staged at Paris-Nord Villepinte on 3 - 5 October.
Source: CMP Information (CMPi)
