Largest-ever Labelexpo signals economic recovery

Labelexpo Europe 2009 defied the global economic downturn to attract 24,169 visitors from 125 countries to the event in Brussels on September 22-26.

Exhibitor numbers and exhibition space both increased from the 2007 show, while the visitors came from the widest geographical distribution in the event's history.

Despite the visitor number being slightly lower than the previous show (by 2 percent), many exhibitors reported increased sales. Even before the show had finished, over 80 percent of exhibition space had already been booked for Labelexpo Europe 2011.

Dates for the next Labelexpo Europe in 2011 are 27-30 September; a Tuesday to a Friday to meet the demand for visitors who find it more convenient to attend the show on a weekday.

Due to an increase in exhibitors (544 compared to 511 in 2007), this year Labelexpo Europe expanded into a sixth hall, which featured many of the latest advancements in digital technology. Digital press manufacturers also reported a high number of machinery sales. A major development for Labelexpo Europe 2009 was the Digital Label Experience feature area in this new hall, which hosted a series of seminars throughout the show.

Label Industry Global Awards

Almost 500 people attended the gala dinner and award ceremony at the Albert Hall in Brussels on the first night of the show.

The winners were:

o R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Fairley

o Label Industry Award for Continuous Innovation: EskoArtwork

o Label Industry Award for New Innovation: EFI Jetrion

o European Converter of the Year Award: Rako Group

o Green Award: GEW

A report from the award ceremony will be available shortly.

Roger Pellow, Labelexpo managing director, said: 'Labelexpo Europe 2009 was a truly incredible show given the current global economic crisis; it showed how resilient this wonderful industry is. There was a huge amount of exciting new products that the manufacturers had to offer. Digital has now become a reality and it was also interesting to see how established companies are embracing these new technologies. The event is the industry's meeting place where everyone comes together to do business, learn and network. It is truly a global family.

'I would like to thank everyone involved with Labelexpo Europe. The visitors, exhibitors, media and associations have all contributed to make this one of the most successful events that we have ever had.'