Organizers of the first ever Packprint Summit Americas, held in Miami last week, say that delegates and exhibitors have praised the event, which was hosted at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami Hotel by the Labelexpo Global Series. The two-day conference and table top exhibition was attended by 212 delegates, which included many senior representatives from the North and Latin American label and package printing industry.

Highlights from the first day included Evelio Mattos’s presentation on the new realities of package design. Creative director of leading agency Design Packaging, Mattos gave the audience a unique look at the current global design trends in structure, materials and specialty processes by sharing client case studies of some of the luxury brands he has worked with including fashion house Juicy Couture and Chateau Ste. Michelle Wines.

Sarah Goldthwait of Powerful Yogurt also gave insight into how to create and execute new opportunities in brand development and positioning. Goldthwait told the story of the successful strategy behind Powerful Yogurt’s US launch in March 2013 and talked about the importance and value of using the product along with its packaging and labeling to target, engage and sell to a new market.

Day two saw the focus turn to the latest technologies, capabilities and applications. Jerry Henson, sales manager at Mark Andy gave the keynote presentation and explored how new mid-web flexo technology can lower overall costs and how streamlining printing work can increase productivity and revenue. Mark Andy also exclusively announced inline solventless lamination capability for its VersaMax series presses designed for flexible package printing. Chris Baker, vice president, sales and business development at Highcon investigated the new developments available in short run finishing for folding cartons. As well as giving a summarized view of the new finishing techniques suitable for production efficiency, Baker also compared the features and benefits of in line, off-line, conventional and digital.

One of three panel discussions to take place during Packprint Summit Americas, the printer panel discussion on day two was also well received with the printing requirements of flexibles, cartons and labels reviewed. The panelists: Tom Zumbiel of Zumbiel Packaging, Paul Browning of Palmas Printing and Multi Packaging Solutions’ John Côté deliberated the challenges facing them and fellow converters and gave their tips for differentiating yourself from the competition.

Aimed at printers/converters of labels, flexible packaging and cartons, brand owners, and designers, delegates also benefited from ample networking time with a private cruise around the South Florida harbor.

Tasha Ventimiglia, event director for Packprint Summit Americas said: “We are very pleased that we have received so much positive feedback from delegates and exhibitors after two busy days full of presentations, intense panel discussions and focused sessions. Packprint Summit America was born out of our award winning Labelexpo events and designed to deliver excellence to the package printing industry too. It has been a success and we hope that it has given our audience new ideas, the inspiration and confidence to shape their businesses in the coming months.”