NPGA Expo Returns to Atlanta after Three Years, Sees Attendance Growth Over 2015

The National Propane Gas Association released figures for its 71st Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo, which took place April 6–8. The event returned to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta after taking place the past two years in Nashville. Nearly 3,300 individuals participated—marking a six percent increase compared to the last time the event took place in Atlanta in 2015. The three-day annual event attracted participants from 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and 31 foreign countries and territories. In addition, the nearly sold-out 180,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall included more than 240 exhibiting organizations.

Program highlights included a keynote presentation by Greg Gumbel of CBS Sports, PERC Update Live presented by Tucker Perkins, president and chief executive officer of the Propane Education & Research Council, and a Women in Propane Roundtable: Management Matters. There were also 28 breakout sessions, seven Fast-Track Sessions, several Propane Technical Workshops, and a Women in Propane Leadership Forum. In addition, NPGA added a preconference “Propane Cargo-Tank Test & Inspection Workshop” to this year’s agenda.

Networking events included a three-hour Expo Welcome Reception, Women in Propane Reception, Young Gassers’ Reception, and Payer Breakfast with Rev. Dr. William Fullilove.

“Feedback from membership on our return to Atlanta has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Richard Roldan, NPGA’s president and chief executive officer. “Not only did marketers gain useful information from a great mix of education sessions, but exhibitors were pleased with the quality of visitors to the show floor,” he continued.
The exhibit hall 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.

NPGA’s Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo returns to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, April 13–15, 2019. The event will move back to Nashville in 2020.