On 5 January 2021, the Plastics Industry Association (Plastics), producers of NPE: The Plastics Show, announced that the in-person components of NPE2021, scheduled for 17 – 21 May 2021 in Orlando, FL, USA, have been cancelled. The association has published a statement which is quoted below in its original wording:
“The Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) places the health and safety of our members, exhibitors, staff, and the attendees as its highest priority. After consultation with medical and legal experts, our Officers of the Board, the NPE executive committee, exhibitors, and the association membership, the Plastics Board of Directors decided, and we are announcing, the cancellation of the in-person components of NPE2021, scheduled for May 17–21, 2021, in Orlando, Florida due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. After extensive review, it has been determined that it is not possible to hold the planned event and also provide a safe environment at that time and location, and therefore we must cancel the in-person show.
While we are disappointed by the circumstances that led to this decision, we know that the plastics industry is strong and resilient. Over the past ten months, it has been leading the transformation of manufacturing processes and supply chain operations that deliver medical equipment and supplies to pharmaceutical companies, medical supply manufacturers, and healthcare workers, protecting first responders and frontline workers against the coronavirus. By bringing companies at the forefront of plastics manufacturing together in other ways, Plastics will continue to provide opportunities for the industry to unite to solve today’s needs and reimagine how to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”