EskoWorld 2012, an educational and networking event for Esko customers in the Americas was held June 17-20 in historic New Orleans, LA, USA, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Designed to offer a total print experience: packaging, labeling, commercial print, digital finishing, digital flexo, ArtiosCAD and color, the slogan for this year’s event was “No Limits.”

More than 500 Esko User Group International (EUGI) members were in attendance, topping last year’s record of 350. In addition to Esko users and staff, supply chain partners were also on hand in the Supply Chain Pavilion. Partners included HP, DuPont, EFI,  tesa and MacDermid.

The agenda featured hands-on workshops, software and hardware demonstrations and also formal presentations from Esko personnel. There were also session tracks dedicated to packaging design and the consumer experience. In one such session, Andrew Hurley, assistant professor of packaging science, Clemson University, showed how Esko toolsets and biometric testing allow designers to see consumer decision making in real time. Using “eye-tracking” technology, Hurley showed how consumers are drawn to certain types of packaging, and he also stressed the significance of product spacing on shelf.

Dennis Young, CPP, Michigan State University, discussed how packaging is now playing an increasingly more important role in the consumer’s purchasing decisions. He said there is now a reduced reliance on advertising, as technology is reducing its impact. Young also pointed out that product placement as a marketing tool is more prominent than ever, and today’s younger consumers are less brand-loyal.

During the event, a press briefing was held with Jan De Roeck, director of Solutions Management, and Bernard Zwaenepoel, senior VP Software Business at Esko. The two detailed the what the company launched at drupa – Suite 12.

With the introduction of Suite 12, a major update release of Esko’s workflow software offering for the packaging, label, sign making and display industries, the focus is on adding value for the user by introducing new productivity and efficiency benefits. This is done by close integration of all flagship tools and engines, by adding rich 3D functionality for a holistic experience and by enabling mobile collaboration and web-based packaging management workflows.

Suite 12 focuses on the challenges of modern brand execution. The software has enhanced 3D capabilities designed to be used further upstream in the supply chain. Packaging management tools in WebCenter 12 provide an overview on the entire packaging project and more control over each step in the process. WebCenter 12, Automation Engine 12, Color Engine 12, Studio 12 and the flagship editors ArtiosCAD, PackEdge, ArtPro and DeskPack, Esko Suite 12 raise the bar for process integration from design to press involving all players in the supply chain. De Roeck said, “Suite 12 provides a complete answer to the challenges of a modern packaging preproduction workflow.”

“Packaging professionals looking for faster time to market, effective and reliable workflow solutions and guaranteed color consistency will be impressed by Suite 12. They will see many examples of our commitment to our customers and our dedication to continuous improvement of our solutions,” Zwaenepoel added.

EskoWorld also featured a networking and team-building event. As one of the evening activities, Attendees participated in a traditional march to the House of Blues, which Esko rented for the night and held a spirited karaoke contest, giving cash prizes to the top three winners.