Editor’s note: Labelexpo afterglow

It’s a running competitive joke at Labelexpo events, to see who on the Labels & Labeling team walks the most steps each day. It’s not uncommon for our journalists to cover 20,000 steps a day as we’re making our way through the showfloor to bring you coverage of the key trends and technology.

At the return of Labelexpo Americas 2022, I lost this competition. Big time. I was lucky to cover even half of that.

It’s not that I was lazy or stuck in a boardroom somewhere far from the action, but rather, I could hardly walk five steps without seeing a familiar face, an industry friend, or a colleague looking to reconnect. And I was not alone.

Throughout the majority of the three-day show, I saw so many handshakes given, hugs shared and laughs enjoyed. They say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ and a four-year absence made this edition of Labelexpo Americas that much more special.

Digital technology was undoubtedly the star of this show, and industry experts are convinced there’s a digital transformation underfoot. While we missed seeing the advancements that flexo has made in recent years, I predict that we’ll see what conventional press OEMs have been up to when Labelexpo returns to Brussels in September.

Though it may have taken us longer to get through the showfloor, the Labels & Labeling team was at Labelexpo in full force, gathering the industry’s leading coverage and keeping you updated online during the event.

Turn to page 100 to read about all the trends and technology in case you missed the show. Or in case you had the same problem making your way through it.

Finally, this edition of the magazine offers Mike Fairley’s final column as he’s announced he will retire after five decades of leading change and driving innovation in this dynamic industry. It’s my honor to take over in Mike’s footsteps and edit his final column.

I will work to uphold Mike’s legacy as editor of this magazine, but first, I offer sincere appreciation to Mike for an incredible career, for setting the groundwork of this storied magazine, and for everything he’s done for those in the label industry. 

Cheers, Mike, on your second act. May it be as rewarding as your first.