ICE heading to Chicago

By Tim Wright • Editor

In 2008, the International Coatings Expo (ICE) will return to its permanent home and every-other-year schedule in Chicago, IL. To be offered on Oct. 15-17, ICE 2008 will take place at the Lakeside Center, McCormick Place, in Chicago, IL.

Participants from over 67 countries are expected to meet at ICE 2008 to learn about “Globally Responsible Coatings – Getting There from Here.” This theme represents the need to go far beyond solutions to global regulatory challenges. It represents the need to create solutions for the future—products that are sustainable, cost-effective and highly marketable.

“We’ve gotten quite a few companies that have already booked exhibit space in 2008, well ahead of previous years, and the vast majority of our attendees and exhibitors said they have every intention of participating in Chicago in 2008,” said Joseph Pontoski, FSCT’s executive director. “They believe Chicago is the city that has the best draw, and they want to be there.

“I certainly understand that people now have several choices to make in 2008,” Mr. Pontoski added. “I hope people recognize that ICE is put on by the industry for the industry.”

“There will be radical changes in 2008, but as long as we build on our core capabilities, we’ll be fine,” said Dr. Rose Ryntz, FSCT past president.

“I am optimistic about 2008, but I also understand the challenges that are ahead,” said FSCT president Dr. Yasmin Sayed-Sweet of Alberdingk Boley. “Hopefully there will also be opportunities, as we have a nice legacy to uphold.”

The FSCT anticipates that FutureCoat!  will continue to grow.

“I’m very excited about 2008,” said  Jennifer Majchrzak, the FSCT’s education events coordinator. “The response we have had for FutureCoat! and the student posters is very encouraging, and we should have very good support from industry and academia in Chicago.”

Looking Forward to 2008

Exhibitors are no doubt excited about ICE’s return to Chicago and its every-other-year schedule.

“ICE returning to Chicago in 2008 is an outstanding idea,” said Carlos Gonzalez, marketing manager, Aerosil, Degussa Corporation. “ICE 2008 will serve again as an important point of intersection for the coatings industry to meet and develop.”

“Chicago is a wonderful city for ICE 2008 because it is in the backyard of many of our largest clients. Hopefully, attendance and participation in ICE 2008 will spiral toward earlier levels,” said Brian McDaniels, national director of sales, KW Container. “The value of ICE is hard to define but we believe that it will continue to draw the best the industry has to offer in terms of representation, participation and support from the many truly fine companies that make a difference in the industry.”

“There is always a unique energy and excitement when ICE is in Chicago and I expect 2008 to be no different,” said Dan Latas, marketing manager, resins and polymers, Lubrizol.

“We think that Chicago will once again prove an excellent location for ICE 2008 and subsequent shows,” said Ray Fahmy, manager, North America marketing, biocides, ISP. “But wherever the International Coatings Exposition is held, it is recognized as the premier coatings show worldwide.”

“We are very pleased to know that ICE 2008 will return to Chicago and hope that the bi-annual format will be adhered to in the future,” said Joe Galimi, director, U.S. sales, Troy Corporation. “The ICE exhibition offers a fantastic setting to network with customers, suppliers and distributors in one place at one point in time, but is not necessary on an annual basis.”

“Chicago has traditionally been the home for the ICE show because of its proximity to a number of large paint companies and central location which makes it easier for more people to attend,” said David Faherty, vice president, marketing, Troy Corporation. “ICE provides a central forum for suppliers and manufacturers to gather to discuss the latest industry trends, new product developments and share common technology to help the industry meet the challenges of providing greener products to our customers.”

There is plenty of work to be done prior to Chicago, though.

“Trade shows don’t have the punch they used to have so it is important that the FSCT keep this in mind as plans evolve,” said Cathy Strahan, marketing director, Myers Engineering. “Knowledge and information is more accessible via the Internet and manufacturers have more sophisticated means of presenting their wares. Trade shows do allow an industry to stay connected to each other, which offers many benefits, but cost of a show really plays a role in deciding how and at what level to participate. Chicago has been notoriously expensive. The attendee numbers will really have to be impressive in order for this to work.”

“Historically, Chicago has been the strongest venue in terms of gross attendance for ICE and hence expectations are typically high,” said Bob Burk, marketing and communications manager, King Industries, Inc. “The 2008 year in many ways will be a defining year for a number of smaller and mid-size companies such as King with limited marketing resources as well as ICE itself. The recent announcement by the NPCA and the Vincentz Network of the establishment of the American Coatings Show will impact ICE 2008 as well as individual company marketing/promotional budgets in the years to come.

“While I am not privy to the details and politics between the NPCA and FSCT boards, I personally hope my colleagues/counterparts will thoroughly evaluate the opportunities the two shows will offer and be cognizant of how they choose to spend their marketing dollars, which will ultimately impact both shows and both organizations,” Mr. Burk continued. “I would invite them to read both organization’s ‘statements of purpose,’ reflect upon their responsiveness to industry and market needs in terms of education by each organization and how each would spend the income derived from exhibiting revenues as well as evaluate the marketing opportunities they will offer.”

Preceding the Expo on October 13–14 will be a series of informative Short Courses. These courses will focus on topics of interest to the many segments of the industry involved in coatings manufacturing and application.