Industry countdown to Labelexpo Americas 2006

Labelexpo Americas 2006, taking place September 11-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, is the biggest business event in the labels and product decoration industry calendar. Over 450 industry suppliers will be exhibiting to a huge audience of nearly 13,000 visitors from North America and other leading global label markets.

With global label consumption being valued at around $60 billion in 2005, Labelexpo Americas provides the ideal focal point for this dynamic industry to meet and identify new and exciting opportunities available to international labeling businesses. Visitors will have a unique chance to see thousands of industry and product innovations. Visitors to Chicago will be able to:

• See working machinery and cutting-edge technology
• Watch numerous product demonstrations
• Learn about the latest materials and technologies shaping the industry
• Do business and identify new partnership opportunities
• Network with industry peers

Conference program

Leading experts from all over the world will gather at Labelexpo Americas to highlight the latest important trends influencing and shaping the future of the industry. The main conference theme is ‘Managing risk in the 21st century’ and will highlight the latest developments in printing processes, prepress, digital technology, global business opportunities and consumer marketing trends, to name a few.

The three-day conference program is packed with expert speakers including the New-York based internationally renowned designer Karim Rashid, who will discuss packaging and label design for today’s consumer society. Mike Meranda, president of EPCglobal US, will focus on the creation of global standards for RFID and smart technology and look at the realities involved in achieving standardization. Panel sessions will run over the three days with one of the sessions focusing on the global label industry and opportunities in developing markets. Anti-counterfeiting on labeling and packaging will also feature on the conference agenda with a focus on the latest innovations available to combat this fast-growing global criminal activity.

Label Industry Global Awards

Labelexpo Americas will also feature the prestigious Label Industry Global Awards, now in their third year. The awards recognize and celebrate excellence.

The winners’ names will be revealed at a gala dinner on the opening day of Labelexpo Americas. This year, the awards launched a new category, with the RFID Smart Label Manufacturer Award, which recognizes achievement in this exciting area. The Label Industry Global Awards have four key categories, with leading label industry players sponsoring each one.

Roger Pellow, Labelexpo managing director, said: ‘We’re looking forward to seeing the industry gather at this major event for the label, product decoration, web printing and converting sector. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the industry to get together to do serious business, set up new partnerships, network and learn about the challenges facing label businesses now and in the future. The three-day conference will help converters and printers alike to understand the threats and opportunities in this fast-changing and highly competitive marketplace. The show is not only about information sharing, but also about rewarding the industry for its achievements and we look forward to the prestigious Label Industry Global Awards’ Gala Dinner to be held on the first evening of Labelexpo Americas.’

Scott Pillsbury, chairman of TLMI and President of Rose City Label, Portland, USA, said: ‘TLMI has been a proud sponsor of Labelexpo Americas since the show was launched more than 17 years ago. Our converter members benefit by getting to experience the latest in equipment, materials, supplies and technologies – in one place, at one time. Our supplier members have an opportunity to reach a very targeted and motivated audience at the same time. In addition, through both its exhibition and conference program, Labelexpo Americas has been a valuable source of information about the new products and technologies that are changing the way we as converters do business. We are happy to support a show that has done so much for our members and the industry as a whole, and we look forward to a successful Labelexpo Americas 2006.’