The next Process Industries Exposition will be held for the first time in New Orleans, from March 31-April 2, 2003, at the Morial Convention Center.

The next Process Industries Exposition (PIE), one of the largest regional gatherings of suppliers for the chemical processing industries (CPI), will be held for the first time in New Orleans, from March 31-April 2, 2003, at the Morial Convention Center.

Formerly called the Petrochem Expo, the biennial show was refocused and expanded at the 2001 inaugural PIE. More than 6,000 CPI professionals visited PIE 2001, which was held April 24-26 in Houston.

Since its inception, the show has been held in Houston. Show management says that the decision to move the next event to New Orleans was based on concentration of chemical process-related industry in Louisiana. Specifically, the state ranks first in concentration of employment in CPI (6.6 percent); second in petrochemical production; second in natural gas production; third in petroleum production; and third in largest value of chemical shipments.

PIE is sponsored by American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and held in conjunction with the institute's spring national meeting.