IDEA 2019, the world’s preeminent event for nonwovens and engineered fabric professionals, welcomed 6500+ participants and 509 exhibiting companies from 75 countries across the entire nonwovens and engineered fabrics supply chain to make business connections last month in Miami Beach, FL.

The 20th edition of IDEA 2019, March 25-28, 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 9% increase in display space over IDEA 2016 as industry participants expressed their business confidence through larger exhibition booths.

The triennial event organized 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.

Exhibitors and attendees noted the large number of industry senior leaders participating in the three-day event. “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,” says Dave Rousse, INDA president.

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

According to Pat Mahoney, key account manager at Berry Global, the absorbent hygiene prospective activity was “more than expected.”  

“The size and scope of the booths were impressive,” according to Pedro Camerena Torres, chief commercial officer with Polimeros y Derivados of Mexico.

Other highlights of IDEA 2019:

The presentation of the IDEA Achievement Awards – sponsored by INDA and Nonwovens Industry magazine – recognized 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:

• IDEA 2019 Equipment Achievement Award: A.Celli Nonwovens S.P.A. –   A. Celli Vision System
• IDEA 2019 Raw Materials Achievement Award: Lenzing AG – Veocel Lyocell Fibers
• IDEA 2019 Roll Goods Achievement Award: Fitesa – Fitesa 100% Biobase PLA Soft
• IDEA 2019 Short-Life Converted Product Achievement Award: Callaly – Tampliner
• IDEA 2019 Long-Life Converted Product Achievement Award: Soteria Battery Innovation Group – Soteria Battery Architecture

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.

Capping off the awards event, Rousse recognized the accomplishments of Robert Julius, president of Nice-Pak Products, Inc. in awarding him the IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Julius was recognized 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 March 28-31, 2022, again at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL.