Finat ELF opens in one week

The Finat European Label Forum (ELF) 2026 opens in one week, with converters, suppliers, brand owners and industry experts from across Europe gathering in Seville, Spain, from May 27-29, for three days of presentations, discussions and networking.

The program opens on Wednesday, May 27, with a trends roundtable on hot topics in label technology, followed by the Finat General Assembly and the 46th annual Finat Label Awards ceremony, hosted by Vlad Sljapic of The Watermill Press.

Thursday May 28 begins with an opening keynote on the global economic outlook from Dr Ilke Toygür of IE University in Madrid, followed by a European label market update from Jules Lejeune of Finat and Catalina Steenbakkers of AWA. A brand owner panel featuring Andy Thomas of Informa Markets, Corey Reardon of AWA and Beatriz Suarez Lopez of studio MABA will examine evolving label and packaging expectations. The afternoon covers regulation and sustainability, with Diederik Samsom, former head of cabinet for EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans and a key architect of the European Green Deal, addressing the future of EU sustainability policy. Sessions on AI in label production, featuring Steve Metcalf of Futury and a case study from Carmen Lappi of Lappi Industrias Graficas, and an innovation panel close the day.

Friday, May 29, includes an optional AI breakfast workshop, a keynote on leadership and resilience from former Dutch Air Force pilot and behavioral psychologist Dominique Schreinemachers, and a closing panel on business succession and strategy. Dana Kilarska of Purgina Labels will close the conference as the incoming Finat president.

Full event details are available at the Finat website.