FINAT, the European label industry association, has released the program for its seventh European Label Forum, and its 64th annual conference overall. The event will be held from June 1-3 at the Grand Hotel Dino in Baveno, along the borders of Lago Maggiore (Italy).

The 2022 edition of the ‘ELF’ is FINAT’s first live event since June 2019, when Copenhagen hosted the event. The 2020 edition had to be cancelled, while the ELF 2021 had to take place entirely online due to the covid-19 pandemic.

FINAT Managing Director Jules Lejeune is pleased that FINAT’s flagship event is now back on the road. “Since we launched the new conference format in 2015, the European Label Forum has developed into the annual executive summit for the European label community, where business leaders from the value chain gather to network, learn and engage in dialogue on matters of strategic importance to the industry.”

“A lot has changed since the Pandemic in the way organisations connect, communicate and collaborate, and FINAT is no exception,” Lejeune adds. “But one thing hasn’t changed, and that’s the need for in- person contact to establish and maintain connections, build relationships and develop a mutual understanding. Without networking, informal discussions and non-verbal communication, the world will always remain a passive 2D experience. After 3 years of forced inactivity, our members are desperate to meet each other again and renew their contacts with peers from around Europe, especially now that Labelexpo Europe has been postponed. We have made sure to select a venue that has proven to provide the right setting to create the conditions for positive business dynamics.”

Critical issues and opportunities facing the label industry
The ELF 2022 comes at a time when the European label industry is facing crucial challenges, both in the short and medium-term. In the early months of the pandemic back in 2020, the label industry passed the ‘stress test’ of excess demand (for critical products in food, personal care and medical products), combined with disruptions in raw materials supply and workforce availability. In 2021, the sector peaked again, this time because of the rapid economic recovery following the Covid recession.

And now, in 2022, the sector is facing an unprecedented “perfect storm” of shortages of components, raw materials and consumables, compounded by local strikes; shortages of skilled labour and talent ready for the digital transformation; accelerated consolidation combined with abundant capital availability and succession challenges; opportunities and challenges associated with changing consumer behaviour and e-commerce; the challenges of Industry 4.0 and Big Data; the EU Green Deal and its associated tsunami of legislation, regulations and industry guidelines to advance the transition towards the Circular Economy; and, since the end of February, the global political and economic uncertainty associated with the war in Ukraine.

Compared to previous editions, this year’s program brings together no less than six expert panels and numerous expert presentations addressing the above topics and more. Of course, these formats allow for maximum interaction and exchange for all participants.

FINAT president Philippe Voet concludes, “The primary role of FINAT has always been to provide a meeting platform for members and to support members by addressing matters that cannot be tackled individually. We are at a crucial turning point, and our industry has to stand together and leverage our collective know-how and expertise and navigate the future of labels. If there was ever a reason to attend the European Label Forum, it is in June 2022. I look forward to seeing everyone in Baveno.”