INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has reported that an  impressive collection of first-time exhibitors from around the globe have combined with a strong line up of returning companies to make the IDEA10 International Engineered Fabrics Conference and Exposition close to a sell-out.

With little more than two months remaining until IDEA10 opens its doors in the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida, the exposition floor is almost 90% filled, according to INDA, organizer of the tri-ennial nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry trade show.

Driving this sales performance even in challenging economic times is the addition of more than 80 new exhibitors coming from virtually every corner of the world where nonwovens are supplied, produced and used, says INDA.

“The nonwovens industry has always been about innovation, driven by new, smaller companies investing in the future of this business,” points out Rory Holmes, President of INDA. “The impressive showing of new exhibitors at IDEA10 is an indication that this trend continues and that newer companies are taking an active leadership role in the future of our industry.”

Three years ago IDEA07 was the most international IDEA show in history. Now, in addition to showcasing new companies IDEA10 will once again have a distinctly foreign flair. At IDEA07, 44% of exhibitors were from outside of the United States and Holmes expects that once again close to half of IDEA10 exhibitors will be foreign.

“The international acceptance of IDEA10 reaffirms the event’s role as a truly global event and points to the global strength of the nonwovens industry as a whole,” Holmes adds. “Indeed, the world will be coming to Miami Beach for IDEA10 in April and we are proud to host everyone.”

Booth sales have been brisk since the beginning of the year, reports Marilyn Bellinger, Associate Director of Sales at INDA. Past IDEA exhibitors reserved their space early, and now most of the recent activity has been from the first-time, international exhibitors making IDEA10 a part of their 2010 trade show calendar.

Stressing that there is still room on the show floor for companies interested in participating in IDEA10, Bellinger says, “We are on track to have the most successful IDEA ever and we anticipate the show floor will be virtually sold out when IDEA10 opens on April 27.”

For more information on IDEA10 International Engineered Fabrics Conference and Exposition: www.idea10.org