Organized by Labelexpo Global Series, Label Congress 2021 will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Conventional Center in Rosemont, Chicago, IL between September 29th and October 1st 2021. This one-time show will feature a conference program featuring expert speakers, a technical Label Academy master class and an expo hall filled with the latest technologies. It will give senior level converters the opportunity to meet, learn and connect with the largest suppliers in the industry.
Registration is now open for Label Congress 2021, the first in-person networking and educational event for the US label industry since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Early bird discounts are available at www.labelexpo.com/congress/
The Congress conference sessions are broadly divided into Technology and Global Market overviews on day 1 (Wednesday 29th) and Future Proofing Your Business streams on day 2. Day 1 features an overview of the global label market, followed by a session on exciting new developments in digital embellishment technology. Panel discussions will look at how to optimize hybrid printing and strategies for diversifying into flexible packaging - the latter including leading converting group AWT Labels & Packaging. The first day concludes with a session on how the Internet of Things will impact the future of smart labels and packaging.
Day 2 starts with Lifetime Achievement winner Federico d’Annunzio examining how converters should respond to brands’ increasing demands for data transparency. This is followed by panel discussions on practical sustainability strategies and how to recruit and retain talent, concluding with a session from regular L&L contributor Paul Brauss on lean manufacturing strategies.
The half day Label Academy Masterclass is led by Tarsus Labels & Packaging group Strategic Director Andy Thomas-Emans and includes deep dive sessions into adhesive and silicone technologies, manufacturing process and performance characteristics of self-adhesive labels, die cutting properties and testing procedures for in-plant quality control. The masterclass is targeted at brand owners and designers who specify PS materials as well as label converters and industry suppliers.
The machine demonstrations and conference sessions will be made available to the rest of the global industry the day following the event itself, broadcast on Labelexpo’s secure online platform. This will allow a global audience to benefit from the technology demonstrations and expert-led sessions available to Congress visitors during the week when Labelexpo Europe would usually have been running.
‘Label Congress 2021 has been specifically tailored to the current climate and will give a much-needed chance for the industry to meet in person,’ said Label Congress 2021 Event Director Tasha Ventimiglia. ‘Label Congress 2021 is situated at the heart of the US print industry, within driving distance of most of the key converting states. The Congress will include a VIP program engaging directly with the key converters from the Midwest.’
Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Tarsus Labels, Packaging and Brand Print Group, said: ‘Label Congress is a smaller, carefully curated event, different to Labelexpo Americas. This is to adhere to the strict guidelines of COVID-19 protocols, which will include wider aisles, reduced visitor traffic and a strict deep cleaning regime. We are working in partnership with local Illinois authorities, event partners and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center to meet and exceed local safety standards.’
From a leading converter’s perspective, Mark Glendenning, CEO & Owner of Inland Printing, said he is looking forward to Label Congress 2021 : ‘I want to be one of those first people reconnecting into the industry because I think we’ll get leverage like we’ve never gotten before. I encourage you to go to Label Congress. It’s a one-time opportunity that will never happen again. You’re going to want to be there.’
Commenting on the benefits of the Label Congress conference sessions, Glendenning added, ‘Education is so much more valuable when it co-exists with networking. Live conferences far exceed going it alone watching a Youtube video. Further down the road, if you come across a challenge, you’ve got people you can call to run it by. That’s the power of connecting education with networking. It’s invaluable.’
The next edition of Labelexpo Americas will take place on September 13-15, 2022, also at the Donald E. Stephens Conventional Center in Rosemont.
