Labelexpo Americas Is a Record-Breaker
- Published: September 22, 2016
CHICAGO, IL | The 15th edition of Labelexpo Americas, held September 13–15, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL, broke all records. Organizer Tarsus Group reports the event featured 17,407 label and package, posted an 8.5% increase in attendee numbers, and was the largest in its history with a show floor size of more than 201,000 sq ft. 
Featuring more than 455 exhibitors (more than 100 exhibiting for the first time), the show recorded its highest ever number of product launches. Key unveilings included The M6 mid-web inline UV flexo press from BOBST, the K600i from Domino, the Durst-Omet hybrid system which features Omet XFlex X6 modules integrated into Durst’s Tau 330 UV platform, The HP Indigo 8000, the Digital One from Mark Andy, the latest EF technology from MPS, the PANORAMA, FA-4*, and the 22” FA-6* flexo press from Nilpeter, and the CX3 digital press from Xeikon.
The show floor was also packed with live demonstrations, including two new feature areas. With the US annually generating 370,000 tons of liner waste, the Linerless Trail championed ways of improving sustainability and reducing costs and waste. In addition, UPM Raflatac collected the show’s excess label, matrix, and liner waste so it can be converted into a new form of energy.
The Digital Finishing Experience showcased how to take advantage of short-run opportunities in label and packaging personalization, seasonal variations, and product fragmentation.
The exhibition was also heavily supported by two Label Academy master classes, the inaugural Shrink Sleeve Workshop, and a two-day conference program.
Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas event director, says: “The label and package printing industry is really galvanized at the moment, and we saw that very clearly at Labelexpo Americas with a record number of product launches being unveiled on the show floor. Package printing is coming of age as is digital printing technology and this year’s show had a real buzz around shrink sleeve production and applications. Converters are upping their game all the time with significant investment in their product offering and a constant honing of their commercial capabilities, so Labelexpo really offers them the best place to catch up with all the latest techniques, solutions, and trends….”
Many exhibitors and presenters offered positive testimonials regarding their experiences at the event. Mike Ferrari, founder and president, Ferrari Innovative Solutions, says, “Labelexpo Americas 2016 made a statement regarding the industry transformation to digital print. In fact there were several exhibits and new launches of digital decoration and finishing. This is exciting as this is the emergence of a new platform, ‘the all-digital automated workflow.’ Delegates attending the conferences were asking great questions as they try to sort out the many choices of digital technologies presented at Labelexpo. Exciting times are certainly ahead as labels and packaging provide solutions to the new challenges brands face.”
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
