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Packaging Innovations returns to Birmingham

Packaging Innovations (inc. Ecopack and Contract Pack), Label&Print and Empack 2017 returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 1 – 2 March with more on offer than ever before. The two-day event features a wealth of new show features, leading international suppliers and educational seminars.

Unmissable Content

The show is always packed with features providing visitors with invaluable opportunities to learn from and interact with influential names from within the packaging industry. In a first for the show, Campden BRI, the UK’s largest independent food and drink research body, will be hosting a series of intimate, topical sessions for the FMCG industry. Topics will cover an array of subjects, from packaging defects and labelling updates, through to contact materials and openability. Campden BRI will also be hosting a competition for attendees, to see if they can guess the 'foreign body'

New for 2017 will be The Ideas Factory, which will see leading experts from non-packaging based companies form a cross-sector information sharing portal. This will allow the newest techniques and knowledge from other industries to be applied to the packaging sector.  

Inclusivity is a hot topic in the industry, as companies consider the impact their packaging design has on consumers. David Wiggins of DRW Packaging Consultants will host the new ‘Inclusivity in Packaging’ feature, examining how packaging can be more inclusive at the design stage to maximise appeal. There will also be a series of interactive sensory experiments designed to test show visitors’ motor skills and sight.

The Drinks Symposium, hosted by Felicity Murray, founder of TheDrinksReport.com, will present a series of case studies looking at the latest trends, challenging issues and pioneering concepts facing the packaging for drinks industry. Experts, including Rob Asterley, co-founder at Asterley Bros, Helen Chesshire, co-founder and distiller of Brighton Gin, and Catherine Monahan, founder and CEO of Gigglewater, will examine how, in today’s crowded marketplace, original thinking, a unique story and imaginative packaging can enhance a new product’s desirability and create a strong brand identity.

The show also welcomes back established favourites, including The Great Innovation Debate, The Packaging Consultancy Clinic and The BIG Print Debate.

Educational Seminars

The show will feature five seminar theatres packed with over 30 hours of free-to-attend educational content. These sessions will be delivered by packaging industry leaders from companies such as Co-Op, Coca-Cola, Innocent Drinks, Lucozade Ribena Suntory and Mondelēz International.

Innovative Showfloor

In addition to educational show features, the show will feature over 350 leading international suppliers, many using the show to launch new products and services.

Croxsons is focusing on adding value to glass packaging through a variety of advanced decoration techniques and closures. It will also be displaying its stunning decoration on its The House of Erick bottle.

Advanced Dynamics will be showing how, with the introduction of its Pack Leader range of labelling equipment, it now has systems ranging from its entry level table top ELF machines to the advanced PRO range, capable of dealing with the most demanding applications on all types of products including plastic and glass bottles.

Networking

As well as unrivalled show content, features and exhibitors, attendees will have the opportunity to network with over 6,000 industry peers. Don’t miss the official Networking party, which take place at 17:00 on 1 March. 

Registration is now open. To register for free, please visit www.easyfairs.com/PIUK, www.easyfairs.com/EmpackUK and www.easyfairs.com/Label&PrintUK or via the show team on +44 (0)20 3196 4429 or PackagingUK@easyfairs.com.

14 February 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor