Three-day industry event attracts over 1400 attendees

With the business of filtration playing an increasingly vital role in personal and business applications around the world, the Filtration 2009 International Conference and Exposition drew an impressive number of visitors and a total of 109 exhibitors to Navy Pier in Chicago from November 17-19.

Living up to its reputation as the largest filtration industry event in North America, Filtration 2009 attracted 1,426 attendees, an increase from the previous year’s event in Philadelphia. It also offered three days of seminars and tutorials covering all aspects of the supply chain.

The exposition consisted of a strong contingent of filtration-related companies that showcased their manufacturing and processing equipment, filtration media, associated filter components and testing services, as well as liquid and air filters.

 “Attendees at Filtration 2009 were able to see and touch the latest developments in raw materials, machinery and finished products,” says Rory Holmes, President of INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, organizer of the annual event. “The well-attended Conference offered a host of papers on the latest technology and issues impacting the business of filtration and the two-day Exposition provided attendees a chance to experience the products that are the future of this industry.”

As Holmes points out, Filtration 2009 was held at a time when the products made and sold by exhibitors and attendees are taking on increased importance in everyday lives. “The business of filtration is at the forefront of the battle against airborne diseases and illnesses, as well as the demand for better interior air quality in domestic and commercial applications, and all of these were certainly topics of interest at Filtration 2009.”

Highlights of Filtration 2009

The theme for this year's Filtration 2009 Conference was ‘Creating value and finding opportunities in difficult economic times.’ The three-day program included industry experts who specifically addressed vital topics under the general themes of Creating Value and Finding Opportunities.

Two Keynote Addresses offered Conference attendees an opportunity to hear from a pair of global experts on topics pertinent to the business of filtration. First, Rick Eastman of Baird Securities provided a presentation entitled ‘The State of the Economy, the Stock Market, and Implications for the Industry/Filtration Sectors.’ Then Ben DuPont, co-founder and president of yet2.com, a global marketplace for technology, offered a presentation called ‘Intellectual Property and Innovation in Filtration.’

Once again, a Best Booths competition was held to recognize and reward the most attractive and innovative displays at Filtration 2009. Winners were announced in three categories. Ahlstrom received recognition for the Best Large Booth (200-square feet or larger), while the Best Mid-Size Booth Award went to DelStar Technologies. Two Best Small Booth Awards were presented, to CEREX Advanced Fabrics and Clean & Science.

The Filtration 2009 international Exposition and Conference was organized by the industry, for the industry, and the Filtration Committee was headed by Co-Chairs Eric Hanson, of Air Techniques International, and Jay Forcucci, Filtrair, Inc.

Committee members include Jérôme Barrillon, Ahlstrom Filtration; Neville Bugli, Consultant; Walter Chappas, Allasso Industries; Andrew Giles; Jean Girard, Texel; Rowland Griffin, Monadnock Non-Wovens; Thomas Justice, Flanders Corporation; Norman Lifshutz, Hollingsworth & Vose; Per Lindblom, Hollingsworth & Vose; Fred Lybrand, Elmarco; Christine Murray, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies; Chris Peart, HDK Industries; Uwe Peregi, Herrmann Ultrasonics; Joseph Petrosky, Lydall Filtration Separation; Carol Santos, Batson Group; David Stockbower, Fiberweb;  R. Vijayakumar, Aerfil.

Filtration 2010 will be back on the East Coast and is scheduled for November 30-December 2, 2010, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information: www.inda.org