Tuesday, May 2, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2017) – The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has released figures for its 70th Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo, which took place April 21–23, at Music City Center in Nashville. More than 4,000 individuals participated—remaining near last year’s all-time record of more than 4,100—while the nearly sold-out 180,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall grew to include more than 250 exhibiting organizations. The three-day annual event attracted participants from 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and 39 foreign countries and territories. 
The exhibit hall featured LP-gas appliance, equipment, and component manufacturers; vehicle fabricators; tank and cylinder manufacturers; computer hardware, software, and technical service providers; producers, brokers, and wholesalers of LP-gas; manufacturer’s representatives and wholesalers; propane transporters and stores; insurance carriers, underwriters, and agencies; and other providers of goods and services to the LP-gas industry. Other expo highlights included the United Propane AutoGas Solutions (UPAS) Group’s Autogas Pavilion—focused on manufacturing products, processes, education tools, and services specific to the rapidly growing autogas market—as well as a New Products Showcase, presented in partnership with the Propane Education & Research Council, featuring new products and cutting-edge technologies.
Program highlights included a keynote presentation by Staff Sgt. Keni Thomas, a former U.S. Army Ranger involved in the battle in Somalia—recounted in the highly successful book and movie Blackhawk Down—who is also an award-winning country music artist in Nashville. In addition, there were 28 breakout sessions, eight Fast-Track Sessions, six Propane Technical Workshops, PERC Update Live!, and a Women in Propane (WIP) Roundtable; along with a co-located Leadership Forum presented by the Women in Propane.
In related news, a result of last year’s record attendance and exhibitor growth, Trade Show Executive (TSE) magazine honored NPGA Expo among its “Fastest 50” Class of 2017 on April 21. Comprised of shows with the highest levels of growth in exhibit space, number of exhibitors, and attendance in 2016, NPGA placed seventh in the top 50 ranked by percentage of growth in attendance. In addition, TSE recognized NPGA Expo among its “Next 50” for the show’s percentage of growth in net square-feet of paid exhibit space.
Trade Show Executive is a monthly trade publication with an editorial focus on present news, views, and tools to assist trade show executives and event organizers in growing their business.
Next year, NPGA’s Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo returns to its previous home of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, during April 6–8, 2018. The event will go back to Nashville in 2020.
About NPGA
The National Propane Gas Association is the national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry. Membership includes small businesses and large corporations engaged in the retail marketing of propane gas and appliances, producers and wholesalers of propane equipment, manufacturers and distributors of propane gas appliances and equipment, fabricators of propane gas cylinders and tanks, and propane transporters.
With a membership of approximately 2,800 companies in all 50 states, 38 affiliated state or regional associations, and members in 19 foreign countries, NPGA represents every segment of the propane industry. Find additional information at www.NPGA.org.
The exhibit hall featured LP-gas appliance, equipment, and component manufacturers; vehicle fabricators; tank and cylinder manufacturers; computer hardware, software, and technical service providers; producers, brokers, and wholesalers of LP-gas; manufacturer’s representatives and wholesalers; propane transporters and stores; insurance carriers, underwriters, and agencies; and other providers of goods and services to the LP-gas industry. Other expo highlights included the United Propane AutoGas Solutions (UPAS) Group’s Autogas Pavilion—focused on manufacturing products, processes, education tools, and services specific to the rapidly growing autogas market—as well as a New Products Showcase, presented in partnership with the Propane Education & Research Council, featuring new products and cutting-edge technologies.
Program highlights included a keynote presentation by Staff Sgt. Keni Thomas, a former U.S. Army Ranger involved in the battle in Somalia—recounted in the highly successful book and movie Blackhawk Down—who is also an award-winning country music artist in Nashville. In addition, there were 28 breakout sessions, eight Fast-Track Sessions, six Propane Technical Workshops, PERC Update Live!, and a Women in Propane (WIP) Roundtable; along with a co-located Leadership Forum presented by the Women in Propane.
In related news, a result of last year’s record attendance and exhibitor growth, Trade Show Executive (TSE) magazine honored NPGA Expo among its “Fastest 50” Class of 2017 on April 21. Comprised of shows with the highest levels of growth in exhibit space, number of exhibitors, and attendance in 2016, NPGA placed seventh in the top 50 ranked by percentage of growth in attendance. In addition, TSE recognized NPGA Expo among its “Next 50” for the show’s percentage of growth in net square-feet of paid exhibit space.
Trade Show Executive is a monthly trade publication with an editorial focus on present news, views, and tools to assist trade show executives and event organizers in growing their business.
Next year, NPGA’s Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo returns to its previous home of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, during April 6–8, 2018. The event will go back to Nashville in 2020.
About NPGA
The National Propane Gas Association is the national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry. Membership includes small businesses and large corporations engaged in the retail marketing of propane gas and appliances, producers and wholesalers of propane equipment, manufacturers and distributors of propane gas appliances and equipment, fabricators of propane gas cylinders and tanks, and propane transporters.
With a membership of approximately 2,800 companies in all 50 states, 38 affiliated state or regional associations, and members in 19 foreign countries, NPGA represents every segment of the propane industry. Find additional information at www.NPGA.org.
