Annual three-day industry event attracted thousands of attendees to Chicago’s Navy Pier last month .

CARY, N.C. — November 29, 2005 — With the business of filtration continuing to play a vital role in the personal and business lives of people and companies around the globe, the Filtration 2005 International Conference and Exposition drew a record number of exhibitors and more than 1600 attendees to Navy Pier in Chicago, November 15-17.

Living up to its reputation as the largest filtration industry event in the world, Filtration 2005 featured 125 exhibitors, up 12% from the previous year’s event in Philadelphia. It also offered three days of seminars and tutorials covering all aspects of the supply chain.

“Attendees at Filtration 2005 were able to see and touch the latest developments in raw materials, machinery and finished products,” says Rory Holmes, President of INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, organizer of the annual event. “The Conference offered papers on the latest technology in filtration and the two-day Exposition provided attendees a chance to experience the products that are the future of this business.”

Among the highlights of Filtration 2005:

• Once again, a Best Booths competition was held to recognize and reward the most attractive and innovative displays at Filtration 2005. Winners were announced in two categories — Large Booth (more than 200 square feet) and Small Booth. The winners: Large Booth, First Place – Johns Manville; Large Booth, Second Place – Lydall; Small Booth, First Place – Ticona; Small Booth, Second Place – Apple Rubber Products.

• A keynote address from Morton Kaimen, Ph.D., of Northwestern University provided a look at the impact China and India are having on the U.S. and global economy. Dr. Kaimen’s prognosis: ““With all of their investments in the U.S., eventually they become us.”

• Seminars focused on such diverse topics as Healthcare, Environmental Issues, Cleanroom Filtration and Automotive Filtration. An Air & Liquid Filtration Tutorial also provided a back-to-basics look at these two important segments of the business.