An important note before we start: we are in no way affiliated with NPE or PLASTICS. We are just reporting what is going on and giving our recommendations. Empire Studios has been creating content for exhibitors at NPE going back to the 2009 show.
So you are exhibiting at NPE 2021 in Orlando, but with the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, a major new digital element has been added to the show. NPE+ was announced in December on the official show website, and it was designed to complement, not replace, the in-person experience.
NPE+ was planned to mix on-demand (pre-recorded) content with live content from the show floor, extending the experience to attendees who cannot travel due to restrictions or health concerns. For exhibitors, NPE is providing training through the NPE2021 Exhibitor Dashboard, where you will find webinars, articles and PDFs. Your basic information should already be pre-populated, so log in to confirm everything is accurate and see what else you can add.
Here is the rough timeline as we understand it. Starting the week of April 5th, six weeks before the show, there is a "digital preview" offering a peek at what will be shown, positioned as a marketing tool to drive attendance. When doors open on May 17th, the platform still is not fully open, to encourage people to actually attend. Three weeks after the show, the week of June 7th, the full NPE+ platform unlocks for all attendees and the Exhibitor Showroom opens. NPE+ remains available until September 15th.
One key rule: you can only exhibit on NPE+ if you are also exhibiting at the physical show in Florida, and you cannot cancel your in-person booth and put the money toward a bigger NPE+ presence.
This is the first video in a four-part series about navigating NPE as an exhibitor. Video is a huge part of that. Next up, check out our rundown of the top 5 types of video content you should invest in for the show. Empire Studios is a full-service video production company that has been helping businesses in the plastics industry for over a decade, so if you have any questions on how we can help, just drop us a line.