Later this month, the nonwovens industry will hold its first two major in-person events since early 2020 when the Coronavirus pandemic shut down most travel worldwide.

After almost 18 months of zoom calls and virtual conferencing, a reported 400-plus members of the global nonwovens industry will convene in Atlanta, GA, this month for the World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference. The INDA-sponsored event was held virtually in 2020 and is being held slightly later than normal in July, but it is sure to return to live events as strong as ever.

Meanwhile, in Asia, ANEX and SINCE will be jointly held in Asia as part of the three year rotation of global nonwovens exhibitions that travels between North America, Europe and Asia. Surely, this Shanghai-based event will not feature the same number of Western visitors as previous years, but organizers are confident that it will be an event to remember featuring innovations throughout the nonwovens supply chain (for more on ANEX/SINCE see page 22). 

According to Dave Rousse, president of WOW conference organizer INDA, the success of these events proves just how strong the industry’s desire to get back to normalcy is. These events will give professionals a chance to get back to face-to-face business interaction.

The hiatus from face-to-face travel has been no period of downtime for nonwovens, however. Companies not only reacted quickly to the surge in demand for products like face masks, medical gowns and disinfectant wipes, they also have contributed to probably the strongest period of investment the industry has seen in its history.

With new lines popping up across the globe, it is certain that industry members will have a lot to discuss at events line WOW and ANEX/SINCE, not to mention INDEX, which will be held live in Geneva, Switzerland, in October, just 17 months after its originally scheduled date.

And, for those of you not quite ready to get back onto airplanes or into conference rooms, these events will also offer virtual components to be experienced and enjoyed from the comfort of your own home or office.

As always, we appreciate your comments.


Karen McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]