The second annual JEC Americas Composites Show and Conference, held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from Oct. 2 to 4, reflected the growing commerce, collaboration and innovation that have come to typify the region’s dynamic composite market.

341 exhibiting companies (65 % from North America and 35% from Europe and Asia), a total of 4,155 professionals (3,643 visitors and 512 delegates) from 53 countries and 36 US States shared the latest innovations that will drive the next-generation of breakthroughs in applications from aerospace, automotive, energy, automation and every sectors that are using Composite Materials.

While highlighting regional innovators – particularly those from Canada, the Country of Honor, and California, the featured U.S. State – JEC Americas’ 2013 edition showcased the truly global nature of the composites industry.

Scientists, designers and engineers from around the world and across the entire value chain came to Boston to report on the latest technical advances, applications and trends influencing the North American composites market.

Thus, the event further advanced JEC’s core mission to promote the sort of high-quality networking and shared knowledge that will help sustain innovation and healthy commerce for the global composites industry. This was particularly evident in the high number of industry leaders and start-up companies that exhibited at JEC Americas 2013.

An announcement that will benefit American Composites Professionals: 3 events in 1 location

Underscoring JEC’s forward-looking mandate, Mrs. Frederique Mutel, JEC Group President and CEO, and Mr. John Gallagher, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, Inc. announced on the first day of the event a new strategic partnership between the two organizations. Through its alliance with Messe Frankfurt, Inc. – a major global tradeshow organizer – JEC will significantly expand its already robust array of resources for the Americas next year.

Namely, the two industry leaders will co-locate JEC’s new annual springtime Composites Show & Conference, running May 13 to 15, 2014 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta with two Messe Frankfurt, Inc. events: Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas, bringing to the market 3 events in 1 location.

“With over $37 billion in value in 2012, the American composites market offers tremendous opportunities for competitive global players”, said Mrs. Mutel. “It also represents an important driver of important industry trends and solutions, from growing adoption of carbon fiber, to expanding use of automated manufacturing to innovations in thermoplastic infusion. With over 55 years actively supporting the Americas’ composites industry, JEC continues its commitment to provide the critical platforms for sharing knowledge and innovation in composites technology.”

Knowledge, Networking and Innovation: A new Program called “Leadership Circles”

JEC Americas 2013 event elicited positive remarks among participants and attendees. Many of those surveyed about the show and conferences agreed the event significantly expanded their knowledge of the latest industry trends and advances.

In addition, interviewees across the entire composites value chain reported the 2013 edition of JEC America’s provided valuable networking and lead-generation opportunities.

JEC launched the Leadership composites circles where elite stakeholders in every industry that highly uses Composites materials share experience and discuss opportunities. The first Automotive Composites Circle took place on JEC Americas 2013, where top managers and leaders of the Global Automotive Industry met with their peers and future partners to collaborate, share and learn from each other.

JEC’s emphasis on cutting-edge advances was highly evident at the second annual JEC Americas Innovation Awards ceremony, where ten companies and their partners were recognized for their outstanding contributions to composites technology.

Gene Lavanchy, one of Boston’s most recognizable news anchors, presented awards to the winners, who advanced the state-of-the-art in ten competitive categories, including Safety, Supply Chain, Design, Fibers, Process, Green Solutions and Multisectorial. JEC also introduced four new award categories this year – Innovation Spreading, Electric Vehicle, Pipes & Water Management and Student Award – to reflect the expansion of the composites industry into new markets. Award winners included:

100+ presentations and 60 Technical Posters

Held in conjunction with the Exhibition, JEC’s latest Innovative Composites Summit (I.C.S.) showcased expert insights from top business and technology leaders into important macro trends affecting industry sectors, such as aeronautics, automotive and automation; new materials, such as carbon fiber, thermoplastics and biocomposites; and cutting-edge processing and design approaches. Altogether, more than 100 presentations and 60 Technical posters were presented at this year’s conferences.