easyFairs, organisers of the fastest growing network of European packaging events, has announced that its packaging portfolio right across Europe will evolve around four major core show concepts: Packaging Innovations, Empack, Label&Print and Luxury Packaging.
The development will accelerate show expansion in these key areas of the €100 billion European packaging industry (source Ernst & Young), and provide a clear consistency of branding across the vast array of packaging shows that easyFairs now hosts.
"Building from our first shows in 2004, the easyFairs portfolio has moved on to become Europe's fastest growing network of events for packaging communities, with 27 trade shows in 11 countries attracting 35,000 visitors and 2,500 exhibitors," says easyFairs Head of Product Development, Eric Préat, who is based at the company's headquarters in Brussels.
"Packaging markets are a constantly changing environment and we have refreshed the brands in our portfolio to reflect recent trends and developments, which are driven by innovations in technology, marketing and packaging processes," Préat explains. "We have also taken the opportunity to harmonise our brands across all the markets where we do business, thereby simplifying our offer to companies and industry thought leaders who increasingly participate at our shows in more than one country."
For the UK the easyFairs flagship event at the NEC, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2015, the entire packaging spectrum will be unified under the three dynamic core brands: Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print.
Packaging Innovations - the future of branded and inspirational packaging
The highly successful Packaging Innovations brand will continue to focus on the latest trends and innovations in packaging materials and concepts, with Ecopack and Contract Pack remaining as important components of the show with dedicated floor areas.
Empack - the future of packaging technology
Empack is one of easyFairs' most established brands across Europe, with a strong presence particularly in the Benelux and Switzerland areas. Its focus is on packaging technology, with core visitors including packaging operations managers, engineers and technologists. All easyFairs packaging technology-focused trade shows, including those currently named Verpackung (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and Pack & Emballage (Sweden), and of course Packtech in the UK, will be transitioned to the Empack brand.
Label&Print - the future of packaging printing, labelling and converting
All aspects of offset printing, converting machinery and labelling equipment will now sit under one major show concept Label&Print. The inclusion of Label&Print as one of the four areas of focus underscores easyFairs' vision to invest in and expand this aspect of its portfolio.
Alison Church, Event Director for easyFairs' UK packaging events, says: "Having a strong Label&Print concept as part of our portfolio is central to the development of our Birmingham show in particular, as we have seen so many technological and digital developments in these areas leading innovations in packaging. It will highlight these technologies to brands and retailers, and help the packaging fraternity to understand how they can be implemented to best effect."
She concludes: "These are exciting times for our packaging shows, and focusing on these concepts will take us into our next stage in growth - firstly to build leading shows that communicate effectively with our markets, and then secondly to expand our portfolio globally. Watch this space for the next instalment in the exciting easyFairs story!"
The next UK packaging event in 2014 takes place at the Business Design Centre in London on 30 September and 1 October 2014 London, and will focus on its two strong concepts - Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging, making it the capital's most exciting and inspirational showcase for everything new and exclusive in packaging design.
Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print will also take place at Birmingham's NEC on 25 and 26 February in 2015.
