Plastec South 2005 Show Preview

Plastec South has been newly added to the SouthPack trade show to be held April 13-14, 2005 in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC). The expanded show encompasses a wide range of plastics processing and packaging products, services, technologies, and equipment.

Check out injection molding machinery, including the latest in horizontal, electric, vertical, and insert molding technology. See multicavity precision molds, hot-runner systems, and the complete spectrum of molding components. Review blowmolding and extrusion developments as well. Suppliers of auxiliary equipment such as chillers, mixers, grinders, dryers, blenders, robotics, conveyors, controls, measurement devices, and welders will attend. A range of additives, modifiers, coatings, colorants, composites, resins, and molding compounds will also be presented.

To register, go to www.devicelink.com/expo/spack05/pls05_main.html and click on the ?register today? button. The registration fee is $45. For the SouthPack Conference, the one-day fee is $115 and the two-day fee is $175.

Hotels and Transportation

Some discounted room rates are available for the show. All of the hotels (list at right) charge an additional 15% room tax. Complimentary shuttle service runs on show days between the conference center and all participating hotels (except for the Omni and Embassy Suites, due to their proximity to the Center). Call (866) 578-8827 for reservations (discount rates are not available by calling the hotels directly.

Atlanta?s mass transit system, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), is a clean, convenient, and cost-efficient way to travel in the city. The airport and the GWCC have direct access to MARTA rail stations. Trains leave every 8 to 15 minutes (depending on weekday, weekend, or holiday schedules). A single $1.75 fare covers one-way bus or train trips, including transfers. For more information, visit www.itsmarta.com.

Patrons coming from the North or South to the GWCC:

Patrons coming from the East to the GWCC:

Patrons coming from the West to the GWCC:

Refreshments and Dining at the Show

Enjoy Italian-style espresso beverages in a traditional coffee shop setting. In addition to multiple coffee stands throughout the facility, the GWCC has a permanent coffee shop located in the Building B entrance lobby, with indoor and outdoor seating.

From cafes and food courts on the concourses to concession stands and specialty food carts on the trade show floor, the GWCC and its food services partner MGR have an array of dining options. There are more than 15 permanent restaurants and eateries on site, including the fine dining Terraces Restaurant, and Food World, a food court offering entrées from around the world.

Terraces, located in the Building B entrance lobby, offers a la-carte and buffet dining along with a full cocktail lounge. Appetizers include peppered calamari, grilled lemon pepper shrimp, and Vidalia onion and sausage strudel. Entrée specialties on the menu range from grilled pork tenderloin topped with sun-dried tomatoes, to handmade ravioli filled with wild mushrooms and Gorgonzola cream sauce. Desserts include chocolate crème pie and peach shortcake tart. Terraces is open on all major event days, as well as for lunch Monday through Friday from 12 to 2 p.m.

GWCC Business Centers

The GWCC has a free Cyber Center located in the Building B entrance lobby, handy for conducting research, communicating with coworkers, and checking e-mail via a high-speed T-1 Internet connection. There are four workstations, as well as a private conference room for impromptu meetings among show attendees. Located next to the Cyber Center is a boutique coffee shop serving pastries and coffee beverages.

Laptop and PDA users can get access to the Internet through wireless hotspots located throughout the common areas of the convention center, including all restaurants and eateries. WiFi cards are available at the CCLD Communications Office (in the Building B entrance lobby). If your computer has an Intel Centrino chip, you can set your computer SSID to FastPass, click on the FastPass icon, and follow the instructions for paying with a credit card. In either case, the laptop or PDA must be 802.11 capable.

Two full-service FedEx Kinko?s business centers are located in the Building B and C entrance lobbies?with copy, fax, bind, scan, and printing capabilities, along with computer access, a notary public, and mail delivery.

Dining in Atlanta

Mid City Cuisine?1545 Peachtree St., Midtown Atlanta, 30309; (404) 888-8700 n A top pick for best restaurant of 2004, this is an excellent place to have a glass of wine and a small plate before the theater.

Toast?817 W. Peachtree St., Ste. E-125, Atlanta, 30308; (404) 815-4134 n This neighborhood cafe offers light cuisine, affordable prices, and a spacious patio. The pasta dishes are specialties of the house.

Sotto Sotto Restaurant?313 North Highland Ave. Atlanta, 30307; (404) 523-6678 n This eatery serves rustic Italian. The Tour of Italy monthly dinner series features cuisine from specific regions in Italy.

Fritti Restaurant?309 North Highland Ave., Atlanta, 30307; (404) 880-9559 n Sotto Sotto?s sister serves designer pizzas and the wine list is excellent. Try the wood-grilled entrées and the small plates.

The Food Studio?887 West Marietta St. K-102, West Midtown Atlanta, 30318; (404) 815-6677 

Tucked away in the King Plow Arts Center in the recently revitalized West Midtown district, the cuisine here is comforting and hearty, yet sophisticated.

Rolling Bones BBQ?377 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, 30312; (404) 222-2324 n Try ribs, pork, smoked wings, pit-grilled chicken, and beef brisket, with mustard greens and fries on the side. Oscar?s?3725 Main St., College Park, 30337; (404) 766-9688 n For fine dining near the airport, Oscar?s is on a quiet part of Main St. in College Park. There is live jazz in the bar, and it is a good idea to call ahead for reservations

Woodfire Grill?1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd., Atlanta, 30324; (404) 347-9055 n Wine country sensibility, a warm, rustic neighborhood feel, and outstanding service sets the Woodfire Grill apart. The cuisine here is seasonally influenced with a Northern California flair.