With the final preparations and countdown to the UK's flagship packaging exhibition well and truly underway, organisers Easyfairs believe that all things point to February's Packaging Innovations & Empack being its most successful yet.
With the two-day packaging showpiece set to get underway on February 21 & 22, organisers indicate that the largest annual event in the UK will likely grow in size and scale once again. A bumper crowd of over 7,000 visitors is expected, with dozens of representatives from top brands filing past a capacity of 400 of the world's biggest suppliers, who will be waiting to showcase the latest innovations on offer.
"The debrief from last year's event was a really rewarding process for us as a team," said Marketing Manager Naomi Stewart. "It was also an experience that showed us just how powerful the packaging sector can be when it comes together.
"When the exhibitors win, everybody wins, and given that four in every five exhibitors quickly met their objectives after last year's show, it's no surprise that 80% of those who exhibited last year have re-booked for this year."
Confirmed brands such as Aldi, Asda, Britvic, Boots, Cadburys, Costa Coffee, Diageo, DHL, Heinz, Holland & Barrett, Hovis, Iceland, KFC, M&S, Molson Coors, Nestle, Oh Polly, Sainsbury's, Sky, Superdrug, TATA, Tesco, Unilever, and Waitrose will walk the show, exploring a diverse array of suppliers offering a comprehensive range of packaging products and services. Exhibitors cover off everything from design to cutting-edge primary and secondary packaging, contract packing, e-commerce fulfilment, labelling and printing, and advanced packing and processing technology.
And so, it's little wonder the likes of Huhtamaki, Mondi, allpack Mondi Delta Packaging Ltd, Coveris, Simply Cartons, Carlton Packaging, Lantech, AstroNova®, Berry Global, Schur® Star Systems, Expack, and Graphic Packaging International have already secured their respective places among 400 exhibitors.
"Since the curtain came down on last year's exhibition, we have been in regular contact with all of the exhibitors, and the one abundantly clear thing is that the bar will be raised once again," added Stewart. "The way our exhibitors present themselves and the innovative packaging products they manufacture never ceases to amaze me, and I know they have many exciting plans to wow visitors at this year's exhibition."
This year's heightened demand for free visitor passes has been supercharged by the confirmation of leading voice on innovation and creative thinking, Ben Edmonds, Beer52 Founder Fraser Doherty MBE, Honest Burgers Co-Founder Tom Barton, and Zero waste pioneer and founder of Unpackaged, Catherine Conway, among a stellar speaking line-up.
And with the likes of Jess Ainley, Senior Sustainability Execution Manager at Danone, Julien Temblin, General Manager of TerraCycle, Tesco's Head of Packaging and Food Waste, James Bull, and Defra's Director of Resources & Waste at Defra, Emma Bourne, the 360-degree view of the packaging industry at a seminal time will continue to be a big draw.
"Engaging presentations by industry professionals on three distinct stages, coupled with the Future Trailblazer awards honouring individuals driving creativity, and the Packaging Showcase celebrating those pioneering innovations, all provide attendees with unparalleled insights into the sterling work that goes on right across the packaging supply chain,” Stewart continued.
"Not only will it spark creativity in the packaging sector for 2024 and beyond, Packaging Innovations & Empack comprehensively addresses every facet of the packaging journey, uniting a range of experts from diverse industries. So, if you're looking for an opportunity to network, discuss the latest developments, or grow your business, showcase your products and cultivate high-quality leads, look no further than Packaging Innovations & Empack 2024."
With a flurry of announcements expected in the coming weeks – the final speaker line-up among them – tickets, free of charge, are expected to be in high demand. As such, organisers Easyfairs are encouraging those interested in attending to register now.