Expectations Galore
What’s generating all this attention? The attraction is reflected in the show theme: the opportunity to, “Explore Your Future.” Labelexpo Americas 2018 consumes 24 full hours and represents the 16th edition of the event. The only event in the Labelexpo Global Series that looms larger, is the original—Labelexpo Europe.
In 2016, Labelexpo Americas posted an 8.5 percent increase in attendee numbers and the show recorded its highest ever number of product launches. Sights are set on matching, if not exceeding, those results. Pre-registration indicates it’s possible.
Strategic Partners
Lisa Milburn, managing director for the Labelexpo Global Series, recently announced the organization has strengthened a long-standing strategic partnership with FTA. The goal: Better serve and support the ever-evolving global marketplace.
She explains: “We are delighted to work more closely with FTA. Flexible packaging is set to become the fastest-growing segment of the labels and package printing industry. This offers huge potential for package converters, technology suppliers and brand owners, but also poses challenges for the flexo sector which needs to adapt to the demands of an ever-changing industry.”
FTA members stand in unison of the precipice of change. In fact, careful examination of the membership roll reveals that of nearly 600 print shops, 41 percent are label printers (240+ firms)—and at least 100 of those print flexible packaging as well.
Lisa stresses, “The percentage of Labelexpo Americas visitors who are interested in flexible packaging has grown year on year, while for our 2018 edition, 66 percent of more than 450 exhibitors service flexible packaging and many will be launching flexible packaging products during the show. This progression is also reflected in the show content, including the Automation Arena and the educational program. It therefore felt right to work more closely with FTA for Labelexpo Americas 2018 and be at the forefront of the changing face of the industry.”
Mark Cisternino, FTA president, added: “As 2018 marks the 60th anniversary since its inception, FTA’s core purpose remains providing vital technical and educational services to the label and package printing and converting industry. In recent years, the industry has evolved significantly as the label and flexible packaging markets have come together, affording our printer/converter membership the ability to provide added value to their customers in both markets, all under one roof.
“For this reason, it’s a natural step for FTA to partner more closely with Labelexpo Americas 2018, as the ideal platform to show converters in the global marketplace the opportunities available to them in complementing their traditional label product line with flexible packaging.”
Fresh & Relative
Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas event director, comments: “Labelexpo Americas is all about the experience. We want to build on that by launching several new features at this year’s show, to ensure that it remains fresh and relevant as the industry evolves.”
She continues, “First, we know that a driving factor for people choosing to visit the show is the opportunity to network and make new business connections, so we want to help them make the most of this opportunity and plan their time efficiently through the Labelexpo Connections, a personalized one-on-one appointment program.
“Second, the Automation Arena is something we introduced at Labelexpo Europe last year and it proved such a popular experience that we are bringing it to Labelexpo Americas for the very first time. It’s a unique opportunity for attendees to view the future of the industry by experiencing a fully automated workflow process—for conventional (shrink sleeve) and digital (label) production, covering job creation, prepress, printing, finishing and billing—enabling them to keep one step ahead of competitors.”
The exhibit, the conferences, the camaraderie, the connections—Each has a role in exploring the future and charting your destiny.