SuperCorrExpo (SCE) 2008 is beating TAPPI's expectations in terms of exhibitors. At press time, the show is 6,000 sq ft ahead of the same time period for the 2004 show. In 2004, SCE was 125,206 sq ft; so far this year, the show is at 118,000 with four months left to go in exhibit sales. There are 235 exhibitors in the show this year.

New this year is an online social networking program available for exhibitors and attendees to connect prior to the show, during the show, and after it ends. The electronic program, MySuperCorrExpo, is an internal show email system that will help attendees set up appointments to see specific equipment, ask questions about the machinery, and ask other questions of exhibitors. The program will include a complete product listing for everyone at the show.

Another way TAPPI is drawing traffic to the show is through its one-price shopping for all box plants. TAPPI implemented this one-price package for an unlimited number of employees from the same plant at its 2007 CorrExpo in Indianapolis. It was so successful that TAPPI is continuing it at the SCE show.

To manage the increased registration numbers for SCE, TAPPI and AICC have again partnered with the same company that handled the registration process in 2004. But since the technology has improved a lot in the last four years, the company is implementing some new programs to make the registration process even easier. For example: At the show, there will be self-serve kiosks set up for pre-registered attendees to get their badges, similar to those at airports to get plane tickets. There will still be the regular registration booths, but the goal is to cut down on the long lines.

Also, the registration company has increased its tracking of attendee demographics for pre-registered attendees and for attendees registering at the show. This information can benefit TAPPI, AICC and exhibitors with future planning and targeted promotions during the show.

The 2008 TAPPI Corrugated Packaging Conference (Sept. 22-24) and the AICC 2008 Annual Meeting (Sept. 24-26) will be held in conjunction with SuperCorrExpo 2008.

TAPPI and AICC are offering a combined program on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The session will focus on equipment procurement, and will feature a panel of equipment buyers and procurement personnel, suppliers, and others. The session will address items such as refurbished or new and how to get up and running for the best return on investment.

On Monday, Sept. 22, TAPPI's conference session will focus on the operational side of sustainability in the plant. The session will address how sustainability and its related initiatives affect a plant's day-to-day operations, and will help attendees factor sustainability into the decision-making process for materials and equipment.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the conference session will focus on energy and the plant. The TAPPI program committee is developing a dynamic, three-part program: The first part will focus on the immediate, simple idea to reduce energy. The second part will address the mid-term solutions, such as process changes and equipment. The third part will give a futurists' view of the energy situation, such as using alternative energy.

For more detailed information, visit http://www.supercorrexpo.org/.

For more information on exhibit space, visit the Exhibitor Information section of http://www.supercorrexpo.org/, or contact Linda Cohen by email atlcohen@tappi.org
or call 914-944-0135.