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NEW YORK, June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CPhI North America, the latest edition of the world's largest pharmaceutical event series, and InformEx, the leading event for the fine and specialty chemicals industry, showed itself to be the epicenter of pharmaceutical and specialty chemical innovation at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, May 16 to 18, 2017.

The event dramatically exceeded expectations by attracting more than 7,500 professionals—representing the full pharmaceutical supply chain and specialty chemicals industry—to a sold-out trade show floor with more than 630 exhibitors and a robust conference program including more than 40 sessions. CPhI North America and InformEx were designed to cater to the needs of the North American pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals markets. Nearly 70% of attendees were from North America, and the event's global participation included representation from 98 countries.

Conference Programs Deliver Industry Education and Insights
In addition to the compelling exhibition floor, the three-day event featured more than 58 industry experts at the CPhI Connect and InformEx Connect conference programs. The programming, powered by industry leaders the American Chemical Society, SOCMA, and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, significantly furthered understanding of some of the industries' most pressing challenges. Topics covered included strategies for increasing pharmaceutical R&D efficiency, ways to improve pharmaceutical quality, how to accelerate the specialty chemicals value chain, new and evolving regulations, advances in pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques, and much more.

"The Connect Conferences were enlightening for both the CPhI and InformEx delegates. One of the greatest sources of value was facilitating the education and networking between the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industries, and allowing delegates to learn about areas of the industries they might not have been as familiar with," shared Joseph Marks, Brand Director of CPhI North America and InformEx. "These new understandings will be highly productive sources of innovation."

Highlights from the Exhibition Floor
The sold-out exposition floor hosted more than 630 solution providers and was specifically designed to facilitate a more intimate and efficient experience for the entire pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals value chain by allowing attendees to customize their experiences. Exhibition floor zones included:

• InformEx: Facilitated the building a global network of customers, suppliers, and colleagues in the fine and specialty chemicals industries.
• CPhI: The Manufacturing Ingredients zone consisted of active product ingredients (API) and excipient leaders.
• FDF: The Finished Drug Products zone featured leading small and large molecule CDMO/CMOs.
• iCSE: The Drug Development zone highlighted world-class CROs and other organizations serving drug developers.
• InnoPack: The Packaging zone showcased the latest in packaging innovation.

Numerous special on-floor features also contributed to attendees' positive experiences:

• Destination Innovation
  The pulse of CPhI North America and InformEx could be found at Destination: Innovation. This special area featured innovative products and services, educational programming, networking opportunities and more to generate new knowledge, ideas, and connections.
• Show Floor Education
  Visitors were invited to hear the latest insights directly from thought leaders during 18 Insight Briefings and 30 Exhibitor Showcase presentations. These in-depth seminars focused on technical and business topics as well as the leading solution providers' new technologies and techniques.
• Supplier Finder
  Supplier Finder kiosks were located on the show floor allowing attendees to leverage CPhI Online to identify needed products and solutions. CPhI Online is the most complete products and solutions search engine in the industry and includes more than 680,000 products from more than 7,300 suppliers.
• Celebrating Innovation
  Right in the middle of the exposition, the Innovation & Product Gallery highlighted intriguing new products and technologies, with interactive touch-screen displays allowing attendees to discover more.

The Power of Networking
CPhI North America and InformEx attribute the impressive attendance to the brands' reputation as a meeting ground for businesses to facilitate networking and collaboration. More than 2,460 meetings were arranged using BOND, the events' exclusive meeting service, which allowed buyers and sellers at the same point of the value chain to match, schedule a meeting time, and conduct business. The three days of face-to-face meetings and discussions provided a critical boost for the entire industry to create partnerships, do business and close deals.

The opening night reception was held at the stunning Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where attendees enjoyed the beautiful spring weather and strolled the galleries while enjoying conversation, food, and drink.

There was not an empty seat at the Women in Leadership Forum breakfast, where both women and men gathered to network and discuss career management for women in science and how science-based organizations benefit from women in leadership positions.

"When women work collectively on a challenge, skill sets multiply," observed forum participant Amy Ethier, scientist, Topical Formulations & Dermatology, BASF. "We deliver powerful change and accomplishments when we work together."

Dedication to Improving Lives
While serving the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industries is gratifying, CPhI North America and InformEx are also truly dedicated to improving our world and our communities. This year's philanthropic efforts showed both global and local thinking.

• Over $10,000 Raised for Mercy Ships
  Mercy Ships is an international organization bringing hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor. Onboard its hospital ships the organization has performed medical services and procedures, valued at more than $1.3 billion, for more than 2.56 million of the world's most impoverished people since its founding in 1978. Mercy Ships has completed more than 589 port visits in 57 nations to date. UBM was exceptionally honored, on behalf of the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industries, to bring to this very worthy cause to the event.
• Philadelphia Pharmacy Mural Art
  In partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Pharmacy, attendees were invited to contribute to a new mural for the landmark pharmacy that has served the local community for more than 30 years. The new mural, to be completed this year, will honor local heritage, lift up the community's next generation, and attract more business to the pharmacy and the surrounding area. Visitors and exhibitors alike were proud to contribute to this worthwhile cause and to take a few minutes to get creative.

Mark Your Calendar for CPhI North America and InformEx 2018
The epicenter for pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals innovation will return in 2018. Mark your calendars for April 24 to 26, 2018. The event will again be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

If you are interested in learning more about how your organization can get involved, visit cphinorthamerica.com or informex.com.

About CPhI
CPhI drives growth and innovation at every step of the global pharmaceutical supply chain, from drug discovery to finished dosage. Through exhibitions, conferences, and online communities, CPhI brings together more than 100,000 pharmaceutical professionals each year to network, identify business opportunities, and expand the global market. CPhI hosts events across Europe, Asia, and, now, North America, and co-locates with ICSE for contract services; P-MEC for machinery, equipment, and technology; InnoPack for pharmaceutical packaging; and BioPh for biopharma. CPhI provides an online buyer and supplier directory at CPhI-Online.com.

About InformEx
InformEx is the must-attend industry conference and trade show for the fine and specialty chemical industry. For more than 30 years, InformEx has brought more than 2,500 decision-makers and thought leaders together with new suppliers, solutions, and approaches. It is the premier event for buyers and sellers to create profitable relationships, expand partnerships, and network with key industry players. InformEx 2017 will be held adjacent to the inaugural edition of CPhI North America, tremendously expanding InformEx's reach within and exposure to the full pharmaceutical value chain. In addition, InformEx is the leading event for professionals within the broader energy, food, cosmetics, and agrochemicals fields, as well as other strategic verticals within the specialty chemical industry.

About UBM plc

UBM plc is the largest pure-play B2B Events organiser in the world.  In an increasingly digital world, the value of connecting on a meaningful, human level has never been more important.  At UBM, our deep knowledge and passion for the industry sectors we serve allow us to create valuable experiences where people can succeed. At our events people build relationships, close deals and grow their businesses.  Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors – from fashion to pharmaceutical ingredients.  These global networks, skilled, passionate people and market-leading events provide exciting opportunities for business people to achieve their ambitions.  

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; for UBM corporate news, follow us on Twitter at @UBM, UBM Plc LinkedIn

SOURCE CPhI