FINAT, the international association for the self-adhesive label industry, has announced its 2015 labeling events. These events will give current and future label community members the opportunity to meet with peers, clients, press and other industry related contacts, get informed and exchange information.

FINAT Labeling Competition: this annual competition showcases the best of self-adhesive label and narrow web print. It recognizes and rewards achievement in terms of both end use/marketing impact and print and converting quality. A jury of leading industry experts will hand out awards in the main segments where self-adhesive labels are used: alcoholic beverages, food, household, industrial, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, security labeling, (self-) promotion, booklet/coupon labels and for the major reel-fed print processes: flexo, letterpress, screen, offset, digital print and combination print.

The 35th edition takes place this year in which the category ‘Digital’ has been upgraded to the status of main group (next to the main group of conventional printing processes), to recognize the significant part that digital printing is playing in the modern label industry. FINAT welcomes all 2015 FINAT Label Competition entries before the deadline of March 5.

FINAT Young Managers Club, second global Young Managers Congress, April 16-18 in Bratislava, Slovakia: this year, the FINAT YMC will organize the second edition of the Global Young Managers Congress for the label industry. During this event, young managers get the opportunity to hone their management skills and learn from industry experts. The program includes social events, such as networking dinners, interactive workshops and one and a half day of presentations. Special features include two workshops, one on “Managing a Thin Company,” and the other on “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

The European Label Forum 2015, June 11-13 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: FINAT has redesigned the format of its annual congress, which from now on will carry the title “European Label Forum.” The new format is designed to enhance the association’s main annual event as the vehicle for strategic business knowledge, information and inspiration. The new format will focus more on business topics, with three different parallel streams (“Sales and Marketing,” “Manufacturing and Technology” and “Management and Corporate Affairs”), a lean manufacturing workshop and more room for interaction and dialogue between congress delegates. All sessions will feature first class speakers who are recognized experts in the field.

FINAT Radar: this publication will have its third edition appearing right after the congress. The publication offers readers a unique “first hand” 360 degree overview of trends and developments across all segments of the self-adhesive and narrow web value chain, from materials and equipment suppliers, via the label converters, to the brand owners and users of product decoration.

FINAT Recycling Award: this award recognizes efforts of the industry in paper and film release liner recycling, both at the level of the converter and the level of his customer. The award will be handed out for the second time this year after first being awarded in 2014.

Labelexpo Europe 2015, September 29 – October 2, Brussels, Belgium: the 2015 edition promises to benchmark and display new innovations in self-adhesive and narrow web technology development. As Europe’s leading trade association for the industry, FINAT again be present with a hospitality stand, where volunteer leaders and staff will be present to welcome members, potential members, media and other interested visitors. Through the newly established Labelexpo Advisory Board, visitors, exhibitors and show organizers Tarsus are collaborating to drive further quality improvements of the show. Prior to the show, FINAT will host the global label associations united in the L9.

New Technology and Management Webinars: at the end of 2014, FINAT launched a new series of FINAT webinars focusing on topics relevant to the future of the industry. The purpose of the webinars is to offer a convenient tool at members’ fingertips to brief them on management, technology and sustainability developments that may impact business in the near future. The FINAT Board’s “New Converting Technology” taskforce and the Young Managers Club have joined forces to drive this program.

Committee output: FINAT’s network of affiliated associations, committees and subcommittees pulls together industry thought leaders and experts to work on issues of common interest, such as the FINAT Test Methods (ninth edition currently available in English and German, French and business Chinese will follow soon), an LCA Best Practice Guidance Document, a Food Safety Best Practice Guide, as well as a new member information leaflet. Prior to Labelexpo Europe, FINAT will host the global label associations united in the L9. The L9 is driving the World Label Awards competition (winners 2014 to be announced in February). This meeting will also see the birth of the global Label Associations Portal, a collaborative platform.