The Packaging Innovations shows, organised by easyFairs, have built their reputation on being a great place to network and find new products. But they have also become a forum to learn about the latest ideas and trends right across the packaging supply chain.
Through the now well-known learnShops programme of presentations and seminars, visitors to the show are able to hear insight from some of the leading experts in packaging design, manufacture and materials – not to mention buyers and specifiers from brands and retailers.
Alison Church, events director at easyFairs, says: "We're delighted to have such an inspiring line-up of speakers this year. The London show has a huge emphasis on the overall product branding and design, and the role packaging plays in that; so it's great to have some leading global brands, as well as some newer home-grown ones, headlining the programme.
"Combined with the focus on luxury packaging, both from brands and industry experts, our first ever Beauty Symposium, and some of the major industry issues being tackled, it's set to be an exciting two days."
Next month's Packaging Innovations London will continue that tradition Packaging News picks the highlights around this year's show.
Packaging News learnShops Theatre
Back once again with a line-up of heavyweight brands and informative speakers, the Packaging News learnShop will be bursting with information to help visitors understand the forces at work in packaging with speakers from Unilever, Defra, Wrap, Kimberley-Clark and more.
Kimberley Clark's former marketing director Jon White will join Dan Monteith of design agency Elmwood to discuss how consumers make subliminal decisions and how to build what they call "big love for brands", looking in particular at work they did together on the leading toilet tissue brand Andrex.
Elmwood is also linking up with global giant Unilever. The brand's assistant packaging project manager for deodorants Paul Pay, will discuss the creation of a seamless design-to-print production process for the Axe/Lynx brand.
Richard Swannell of Wrap will discuss one of the big themes of the last year, the role that packaging plays in reducing food waste. He will reveal how the latest edition of the Courtauld Commitment reflects that in its mission to reduce the environmental impact of the retail sector.
Elsewhere, a presentation from Defra's head of food labelling Stephen Pugh will reveal the latest government thinking on labels and what designers and brands will need to consider in the future.
Packaging News brand director Josh Brooks will discuss the findings of the annual PN/Packaging Innovations packaging buying trends survey. Further packaging insight will be on offer from The PackHub, Watch Me Think and Global Colour Research.
Keynote Theatre and Packaging Innovations learnShops
In the Keynote Theatre, Museum of Brands founder Robert Opie will talk about his journey of discovery from the moment he started his collection and picked up a Munchies wrapper 50 years ago to the museum's success today.
Innocent Drinks packaging technologist Clover Abbott will be sharing her insights into how packaging has been instrumental to its drinks business.
There will also be a host of show features including inspirational learnShops seminars and the Big Packaging Debate, where a panel of packaging experts will debate whether 'Online sales will kill packaging design'
In the learnShops theatre, meanwhile, another full programme of education on packaging is on offer.
Blackberry graphics director Leigh Brownsword will team up with George Wainwright, from design agency Pope Wainwright, to discuss how the technology giant uses packaging to help build the relationship with its range of consumers.
Taking on the luxury packaging theme will be Steve McAdam of Leo Luxe. He will discuss the cues and characteristics that define luxury packaging exploring areas such as what materials to use, formats and production techniques that will make the difference.
Other speakers in the Packaging Innovations London learnShop will include Andrew Barnetson of the Confederation of Paper Industries and Sharon Crayton of Ardagh Glass; plus speakers from Ziggurat Brands, the Institute of Packaging Professionals, RPC Group and more.
Beauty Symposium
With the expansion of the Luxury Packaging show alongside Packaging Innovations, a touch of glitz and glamour will descend on this year's event, as its organisers prepare to present their first ever Beauty Symposium.
Run in association with international beauty brand consultancy The Red Tree Consultancy, a line-up of beauty experts will open the first day of the show to discuss, inspire, surprise and inform on how to accelerate growth and build a successful beauty business.
