Package printing helps Labelexpo Americas to record-setting 25th anniversary event

Labelexpo Americas 2014 closed on September 11 with a 12 percent increase in footfall, attracting a record total of 16,029 visitors.

With more than 440 exhibitors, Labelexpo Americas played host to several hundred product launches, notably the HP Indigo WS6800 and Xeikon Cheetah from Xeikon. Other major launches included Mark Andy’s Digital Series hybrid inkjet/flexo press and Nuova Gidue’s 5 UV flexo press. In addition numerous new inks, ancillary products and label stocks were unveiled including new point-of-purchase and vulcanization tire label portfolios from Avery Dennison, Flint Group’s expanded EkoCure UV LED range, Sun Chemical’s new Solaris System and UPM Raflatac’s thinner PET filmic substrate.

New feature areas were well received by show visitors, with the twice-daily Package Printing Workshop sessions, presented by Delta Industrial and Xeikon, attended by label converters looking for new ways to diversify and grow their business.

Jason Newville of Delta Industrial said: ‘Labelexpo Americas was one of our best shows this year, and we were really able to showcase our flexibility and versatility. We were impressed by the large number of qualified visitors who were planning to make purchasing decisions by the end of the year. Delta delivered two truckloads of equipment to demonstrate at this show – three unique Delta Mod-Tech solutions, digital print finishing, laser die-cutting and medical converting and pouching – and all were very well received.

‘The Package Printing Workshop generated a lot of interest, and attendees liked seeing Delta’s many rotary converting technologies and the way they are used in a variety of industries.’

The interactive Smart Mart demonstrated some of the latest developments in active and intelligent labels and packaging with the newest advances in augmented reality, QR codes and scanners, RFID and NFC-enabled smart tags, temperature indicating packaging and films that prevent food spoilage all showcased.

Further, the conference program attracted almost 1,100 delegates, another record, and consisted of 16 different sessions and 64 individual moderators, panelists and speakers. Highlights from the conference program included the CEO and converter panel discussions, as well as the Internet of Things and inkjet technology presentations.

Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas’ event director, said: ‘Thank you to everyone including the TLMI, all of our exhibitors and industry partners who have helped make our 25th year the best and biggest yet.

‘The show’s success underlines just how much confidence has returned to the American label and package printing industry. People were there to do serious business and from the feedback we’ve had, we know many exhibitors have enjoyed healthy sales as well as generating a high volume of good quality sales leads.’