IDEA 2019, the world’s preeminent event for nonwovens and engineered fabric professionals, welcomed 6,500+ participants and 509 exhibiting companies from 75 countries across the entire nonwovens and engineered fabrics supply chain to make business connections. The 20th edition of IDEA 2019 was held from March 25-28 in Miami Beach, FL, US.

IDEA 2019 broke a display record for the event filling 168,600 square feet of exhibit space (15,663 square meters) within the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. The new record represents a nine per cent increase in display space over IDEA 2016 as industry participants expressed their business confidence through larger exhibition booths, according to a press release by INDA.

The triennial event organised by INDA featured seven new nonwovens training classes, market presentations from China, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, industry recognitions with the IDEA Achievement Awards, the IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award, and a welcome reception celebration of INDA’s 50th anniversary.

“IDEA provided exceptionally strong metrics in leadership presence this year. The event attracted a high level of key decision makers, a testimonial to the show’s importance within the international nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President.

“The quality of attendees and visitors was exceptional,” said Mark Steinbrecher, sales manager, Optima Nonwovens.

The presentation of the IDEA Achievement Awards – sponsored by INDA and Nonwovens Industry Magazine – recognised companies in five categories for the best new products introduced since IDEA 2016. Competing among over 50 nominees, the winners of the IDEA 2019 Achievement Awards were: A.Celli Nonwovens SPA, Lenzing AG, Fitesa, Callaly and Soteria Battery Innovation Group.

The IDEA 2019 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award is selected by the editors of nonwovens industry magazine. This year editors found a unique supporter and developer of the entrepreneurial spirit rather than a specific product invention. P&G Venture Labs was the recipient of the IDEA 2019 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, first, for helping aging adults perform daily self-care activities and preserving personal dignity and independence, and secondly, for alleviating symptoms of menopause driven by the loss of estrogen over time.

The IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Robert Julius, president of Nice-Pak Products, Inc. Julius was recognised for his lifetime commitment to research, quality, innovation, and service. Nice-Pak and PDI have pioneered the development of wet wipe products and markets globally, that serve the consumer, commercial, healthcare, and contract markets.

For the first time IDEA offered short course and refresher training. Over 260 industry professionals took advantage of INDA’s essential training on nonwovens basics, wet wipes, absorbent hygiene, and filter media for air and liquid taught by renowned industry experts.

IDEA 2022 will be held from March 28-31, 2022 again at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida. (PC)