NPE: The Plastics Show | TradeShowIntel

Name: NPE: The Plastics Show
Start: 2027-05-03
End: 2027-05-07
Location: Orange County Convention Center

Event overview

Overview

Join us at NPE: The Plastics Show to discover the innovations shaping the plastics industry.

Connect with 51,000+ professionals, explore solutions from 2,200+ exhibitors, and gain the insights you need to stay ahead at NPE2027.

TL;DR

1Scale: NPE2027 expects more than 51,000 attendees from over 130 countries.
2Exhibitor Base: More than 2,200 exhibitors showcase plastics machinery, materials and recycling technology.
3Dates: The show runs five days from May 3 to May 7, 2027, in Orlando, Florida.
4Sector Focus: Programme content centres on sustainability and technology across the plastics value chain.
5Registration: Visitor badges and exhibit space can be requested at npe.org.

Why visit

Attendees will gain insights into the latest innovations, network with industry leaders, and explore solutions to enhance their business operations. The event offers educational sessions and showcases cutting-edge technologies. 2,200+ exhibitors showcasing innovations. Join us at NPE: The Plastics Show to discover the innovations shaping the plastics industry. Connect with 51,000+ professionals, explore solutions from 2,200+ exhibitors, and gain the insights you need to stay.

Why exhibit

Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their products to a global audience, connect with key decision-makers, and enhance their brand visibility in the plastics sector. Exhibitor Base: More than 2,200 exhibitors showcase plastics machinery, materials and recycling technology. NPE2027 is a pivotal event for the plastics industry, bringing together leaders and innovators to discuss trends, technologies, and sustainability practices. It serves as a platform.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Manufacturers and suppliers in the plastics industry

Buyers from various sectors including automotive, packaging, and consumer goods

Research and development professionals

Sustainability experts and advocates

Industry analysts and consultants

Students and educators in plastics engineering

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Plastics machinery manufacturers

Material suppliers and distributors

Recycling technology providers

Packaging solutions companies

Automation and robotics firms

Consultants and service providers in the plastics sector

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

Injection molding machines and technology

Recycling and waste management solutions

Additives and colorants for plastics

Packaging materials and technologies

3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions

Bioplastics and sustainable materials

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

Orange County Convention Center

Orlando, FL, USA

Attend

Entry & tickets

Early-Bird
Through Jan 22
$95.00
Advance
Jan 23 - May 2
$125.00
Onsite
May 3 - May 7
$150.00

Who runs the show

Organisers

Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

Website

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Last edition

2024

estimate

Visitors: 50,000

Exhibitors: 2,000

This edition

2027

Visitors: 51,000

Exhibitors: 2,200

Next edition

Not announced yet

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

Join us at NPE: The Plastics Show to discover the innovations shaping the plastics industry. Connect with 51,000+ professionals, explore solutions from 2,200+ exhibitors, and gain the insights you need to stay ahead at NPE2027. NPE2027 is a pivotal event for the plastics industry, bringing together leaders and innovators to discuss trends, technologies, and sustainability practices. It serves as a platform for networking and collaboration among industry professionals. NPE2027, May 3-7, 2027.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

Visitors typically include Manufacturers and suppliers in the plastics industry, Buyers from various sectors including automotive, packaging, and consumer goods, Research and development professionals, Sustainability experts and advocates. 51,000+ attendees expected. 2,200+ exhibitors showcasing innovations. 5 days of networking and learning. Focus on sustainability and technology. NPE: The Plastics Show attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's published visitor positioning.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their products to a global audience, connect with key decision-makers, and enhance their brand visibility in the plastics sector. 2,200+ exhibitors showcasing innovations. NPE2027 is a pivotal event for the plastics industry, bringing together leaders and innovators to discuss trends, technologies, and sustainability practices. It serves as a platform for networking and collaboration among industry professionals. Meet. Exhibitor categories include Plastics machinery.

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Orlando, Florida, USA (Orange County Convention Center, International Drive) — North America's plastics and polymer-processing gateway event for the Americas market.

Why it matters

NPE is the largest plastics trade show in the Americas and runs only every three years, so it concentrates the full supply chain — resin and additive producers, machinery builders, mold makers, recyclers and brand-owner specifiers — into one week in Orlando. For teams selling into or sourcing from North America, the triennial cycle makes NPE the single planning point for capital-equipment decisions, supplier qualification and regulatory/sustainability roadmaps, and it sets pricing and technology expectations for the following three years.

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Digital buyer journeys

Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.

Sustainability in procurement

Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.

Automation and labour efficiency

Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.

Regional supply-chain resilience

Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.

Hybrid engagement models

Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.

Global plastics & rubber trade-show circuit

Plan 9–12 months ahead for exhibiting (space draw, stand build, freight) and 3–6 months ahead for visiting (hotels sell out early in Orlando for triennial NPE weeks).

NPE (Americas, triennial) sits alongside K in Düsseldorf (global flagship, triennial), Chinaplas (Asia's largest, annual, rotating between Shenzhen and Shanghai), Fakuma (Europe, annual, Friedrichshafen) and Plastimagen (Latin America, Mexico City). Exhibitors and buyers typically plan NPE and K as the two anchor capital-equipment decisions, with Chinaplas and Fakuma covering Asia and European regional demand in the interim years.

3–7 May 2027, Orlando

NPE 2027

Circuit compiled from listing context and publicly published show websites; confirm dates with each organiser before committing travel.

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · USD

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

MCO

Orlando International

Lynx bus and rideshare serve International Drive corridor.

to venue

25–40 min

by car

SFB

Orlando Sanford International

Gateway airport for Orlando.

to venue

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Budget

International Drive (I-Drive) corridor, 1–4 km from Orange County Convention Center

USD 110–180 / night

Rates are per room per night for the May show week; expect event-week premiums and 2-night minimums. Many I-Drive properties run complimentary shuttles to the convention center.

source

Mid-range

International Drive / SeaWorld and Convention Center district, 1–5 km from the venue

USD 180–300 / night

Best balance of walkability to the OCCC and meeting space for informal business meetings; several connect to the venue by footbridge or short shuttle.

source

Premium

Connected/adjacent to Orange County Convention Center and International Drive resorts

USD 300–500 / night

Connected or on-campus properties sell out first for triennial NPE weeks; book 6–9 months ahead for the best rates.

source

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

rideshare

Estimated costUSD 30–45 rideshare (Uber/Lyft) estimate; USD 40–55 taxi estimate

Best forOrlando International (MCO) to Orange County Convention Center

About 24 km / 15–20 min via FL-528 (Beachline) to International Drive; allow 30–45 min in weekday peak traffic.

rideshare

Estimated costUSD 60–90 rideshare estimate; USD 90–130 taxi/private transfer estimate

Best forOrlando Sanford International (SFB) to Orange County Convention Center

About 55 km / 45–60 min via FL-417 and I-4; SFB is mostly served by international and charter carriers.

trolley

Estimated costUSD 2 per ride; ~USD 6 for a 1-day pass (typical published fares)

Best forI-Ride Trolley along International Drive (hotels ↔ convention center ↔ ICON Park)

Frequent service along I-Drive, the main hotel corridor serving the OCCC; cash and card accepted onboard.

bus

Estimated costUSD 2 per one-way ride; ~USD 4.50 day pass (typical published fares)

Best forLYNX public bus (Links 8, 38, 42) serving International Drive and the convention center area

Cheapest city option; slower than rideshare and with limited late-evening frequency.

rental_car

Estimated costUSD 45–70 per day mid-size estimate, plus parking

Best forMCO/SFB rental counters to venue-area hotels

Useful for side trips (Kennedy Space Center, beaches); daily OCCC parking charges apply separately.

shuttle

Estimated costUSD 0–10 per day (varies by hotel; many are complimentary for guests)

Best forInternational Drive hotel shuttles to Orange County Convention Center

Confirm with your hotel when booking — shuttle schedules tighten during large trade shows.

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa required

ATA Carnet: check with organiser

Type	Who needs it	Fee	Processing
B-1 Temporary Business Visitor visa	Foreign nationals traveling to the United States for temporary business, including attending a business convention or conference, unless eligible for visa-free entry under the Visa Waiver Program	$185.00	Varies by post; schedule the visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or nationality well before travel

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries may be able to enter the United States for temporary business without a visa; check DHS and CBP eligibility before booking.

Official visa page

Weather

May in Orlando is warm and humid: typical highs of 30–32°C (86–89°F) and overnight lows of 19–21°C (66–70°F), with roughly 85–95 mm of rain for the month. Afternoon thunderstorms become noticeably more frequent toward late May as the summer wet season builds, so pack a light rain jacket and plan indoor breaks.

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

Tipping

Tipping is expected in the USA: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, USD 1–2 per drink, USD 2–5 per hotel housekeeping service, and 15–20% for taxis/rideshare. Displayed prices exclude Florida sales tax.

Business dress & meetings

Business casual (collared shirt, chinos/khakis) is the norm on the show floor; suits are reserved for senior meetings. Exchange business cards freely and expect firm handshakes; punctuality for scheduled meetings is appreciated.

Practical etiquette

The legal drinking age is 21 and photo ID may be requested. Orlando is a car-oriented city — walking distances on International Drive are long, so confirm shuttle or rideshare options before evening plans.

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: MCO

Book flights to MCO when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue; compare SFB only if fares are materially lower.

Visa

Foreign nationals traveling to the United States for temporary business, including attending a business convention or conference, generally need a B-1 business visitor visa unless they qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).

Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.

Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable; schedule your visa interview appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or nationality.

Official

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: Orlando International (MCO) to Orange County Convention Center: USD 30–45 rideshare (Uber/Lyft) estimate; USD 40–55 taxi estimate. About 24 km / 15–20 min via FL-528 (Beachline) to International Drive; allow 30–45 min in weekday peak traffic.

Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Orange County Convention Center: International Drive (I-Drive) corridor, 1–4 km from Orange County Convention Center: La Quinta Inn & Suites Orlando I-Drive / Convention Center, Hampton Inn Orlando International Drive / Convention Center, Red Roof Inn Orlando Convention Center; International Drive / SeaWorld and Convention Center district, 1–5 km from the venue: Rosen Plaza Hotel (adjacent to the convention center), Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive / Conv

Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft are widely available around Orlando International Airport, International Drive, and the convention center.

Public transit: I-Ride Trolley along International Drive serves the convention campus.

Parking: On-site parking is available at Orange County Convention Center; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Month: May 2027

Temperature: Average highs 30–32°C (86–89°F); average overnight lows 19–21°C (66–70°F) — warm and humid, air conditioning indoors is strong, so bring a light layer for session rooms.

Seasonality: May averages roughly 85–95 mm of rain in Orlando with increasing afternoon thunderstorm activity as the summer wet season approaches; mornings are usually the driest window for outdoor plans.

Packing: May in Orlando is warm and humid: typical highs of 30–32°C (86–89°F) and overnight lows of 19–21°C (66–70°F), with roughly 85–95 mm of rain for the month. Afternoon thunderstorms become noticeably more frequent toward late May as the summer wet season builds, so pack a light rain jacket and plan ind

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: Wednesday 5 May 2027

NPE runs Monday 3 May to Friday 7 May 2027, a five-day Monday-to-Friday triennial format. Exhibit-floor and conference density typically builds through the first half of the week, so mid-week (Tuesday–Wednesday) gives you all halls and suppliers in full operation with slightly lighter crowd pressure than the opening Monday; the final Friday is often quieter as exhibitors begin teardown. Plan Tuesday if you need to catch senior executives before their calendars fill.

Check passport validity and US entry eligibility (B-1 visa or ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program) for travel to Orlando. — Passport should be valid well beyond the May 3-7, 2027 show dates; see the US State Department business visa page.

Book flights to Orlando International (MCO) or Orlando Sanford (SFB) arriving before the May 3, 2027 opening day. — MCO is roughly 24 km from the Orange County Convention Center via FL-528; allow road time on arrival day.

Reserve a hotel near the Orange County Convention Center or International Drive. — Confirm cancellation policy and check-in for the five show days.

Complete visitor registration and badge application at npe.org. — Registration is open on the official NPE site; keep the confirmation email for badge pickup.

Download the NPE2027 floor plan and exhibitor directory. — Map the halls covering plastics machinery, materials and recycling technology.

Request B2B meetings with target exhibitors before travel. — Use the exhibitor list to shortlist suppliers and send meeting requests early.

Shortlist conference sessions and technical presentations for the five show days. — Build a personal agenda and leave buffer time for the exhibition floor.

Arrange airport transfer and local transport to the venue. — Taxis and rideshare serve the Orange County Convention Center; confirm parking if driving.

Pack business casual attire and comfortable shoes for long hall days. — Check the Orlando forecast before departure and pack light layers for air-conditioned halls.

Prepare meeting documents, business cards and collateral. — Print key specifications and quotes for on-site discussions with exhibitors.

Plan arrival day: collect your badge and orient yourself in the halls. — Arrive early on May 3, 2027 for badge pickup and a first walk of the floor plan.

Side trips

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Best-known half- or full-day excursion from Orlando; book tickets and allow a full day including the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Winter Park (Park Avenue)

Walkable historic shopping and dining street with the Morse Museum, a good low-travel-time option for an evening or a half day after the show floor closes.

Networking spots

Show-floor B2B and innovation zones

On-site business meetings

Exhibitors staff meeting areas and technology/innovation zones for scheduled partner conversations — the highest-value networking on site during NPE week.

Conference session and reception areas

Conference networking

Technical and business sessions concentrate the same engineering and sustainability audience you meet on the floor; the end-of-day receptions are the practical place to follow up.

International Drive dining and entertainment districts (ICON Park / Pointe Orlando)

Off-site evening networking

The main hotel corridor clusters attendees after show hours; restaurant and bar districts along I-Drive are where informal supplier and peer conversations happen.

Budget

Costs & budget

Cost reference

Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.

visitor_ticket

visitor · Early-Bird

USD 95 / per person

official

visitor_ticket

visitor · Advance

USD 125 / per person

official

visitor_ticket

visitor · Onsite

USD 150 / per person

official

visa_fee

visitor · B-1 Temporary Business Visitor visa

USD 185 / per application

official

Item	For	Tier	Estimated range	Status
visitor_ticket	visitor	Early-Bird	USD 95 / per person	official
visitor_ticket	visitor	Advance	USD 125 / per person	official
visitor_ticket	visitor	Onsite	USD 150 / per person	official
visa_fee	visitor	B-1 Temporary Business Visitor visa	USD 185 / per application	official

Decision

Visit, exhibit, or skip?

Should you go?

Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.

QUESTION 1 OF 6

What is your primary role?

Decision matrix

Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

visit

You are sourcing, benchmarking or scouting technology and can commit a 2–4 day trip; even a single day on the floor covers the main technology halls.

Best for

Plastics processors, brand owners, specifiers and procurement teams evaluating machinery, materials and suppliers without committing floor space.

Min. budget

$900.00

Timeline

2–4 weeks of lead time to book registration, flights and event-week hotel rooms; start 8–12 weeks ahead if a US B-1/B-2 visa or ESTA check is required.

Risks

International Drive hotel rates spike sharply during NPE week — book 3–6 months out to avoid peak pricing.

Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

exhibit

North America is a core revenue channel and you can staff the booth for all five show days (Mon 3 – Fri 7 May 2027).

Best for

Machinery builders, resin/additive suppliers, recyclers and service providers who need live demos and qualified North American leads from processors.

Min. budget

$2,700.00

Timeline

9–12 months: space selection and stand design, freight/drayage planning, staffing and lead-capture setup for a five-day triennial show.

Risks

Stand space, booth build, freight and drayage typically exceed the travel-led floor figure several times over — request the official prospectus.

Triennial cycle means ROI must be earned over three years of leads, not one season.

Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

skip

Your supplier set is fully covered via K, Chinaplas or Fakuma in the interim years, or you can source the same technology through regional distributors.

Best for

Buyers interested only in commodity resin pricing, or teams without budget or travel approval for a US trip in 2027.

Timeline

None.

Risks

Waiting a further three years for the next NPE edition may leave you behind on machinery and materials specs.

Peer coverage is thinner because NPE is the Americas anchor show — plan to use distributors, agents or regional events instead.

Book with

Partners

Recommended providers

Visa

US Department of State

Gallery

Photos

Official imagery from NPE: The Plastics Show

Official NPE: The Plastics Show event branding

FAQs & glossary

Answers

Frequently asked

What are the dates of the next show?

NPE2027 will take place from May 3 to May 7, 2027.

Where will NPE2027 take place?

NPE2027 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

What is the cost per square foot to exhibit?

The early-bird price is $95, advance price is $125, and onsite price is $150.

How can I learn more about the space application process?

You can learn more about the space application process by visiting the official NPE website.

What are the expected attendance numbers?

NPE2027 expects over 51,000 attendees from more than 130 countries.

Do I need a visa to attend NPE2027 in Orlando?

Glossary

NPE: NPE is the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, showcasing innovations and solutions for the plastics industry.
Exhibitor: An exhibitor is a company or organization that showcases its products and services at the event.
Attendee: An attendee is a person who visits the event to learn about the latest trends and technologies in the plastics industry.
Sustainability: Sustainability refers to practices that reduce environmental impact and promote the use of renewable resources.
Innovation: Innovation involves the introduction of new ideas, products, or methods that improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Trust footer

Sources

References

Publishers

Date checked

Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

NPE Official Website
Lang: EN
event_website

NPE: The Plastics Show

NPE LinkedIn
Lang: EN
event_social
NPE Instagram
Lang: EN
event_social
NPE YouTube
Lang: EN
event_social
NPE X/Twitter
Lang: EN
event_social
NPE Facebook
Lang: EN
event_social

Orlando travel reference

Digital business cards for the show floor

Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.

Create a free card

Exhibiting at this event?

Enter your business email to get a free first Exclusive Spotlight worth 250$.

Explore Spotlights

Build your event team

Compare trusted stand builders, logistics teams and local event suppliers in one request.

Explore Vendor Marketplace

Are you a delegate or visitor at this event?

Habsy.ai helps you scan badges, share your digital card, and keep every connection on the show floor. Exclusive premium tool worth $100.

Digital business cards for the show floor

Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.

Create a free card