The speakers and program for Label Summit Africa 2014 have been announced as the two-day conference and table-top exhibition prepares to return to the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) March 10-11. Bringing together thought leaders and experts from across the label and package printing sector, organizers say that the Summit will provide “the perfect platform to share ideas, best practice tactics and lessons learned for optimizing label converting businesses.”

Providing a mix of 13 technical presentations, panel discussions and customer case studies, there will also be ample networking opportunities with a private dinner and reception at Grand Café & Beach in Granger Bay. Label Summit Africa 2014 also features over 20 market leading exhibitors including Flint Group, HP, MPS, New Africa Inks, Nilpeter, Nuova GIDUE, Omet, Paragon Inks South Africa, Prati and Xeikon.

Day one of the conference program will focus on market trends and new technologies. Confirmed speakers include Tom McGinley former MD of Self Adhering Products. Looking back at the printing industry’s involvement with the historic 1994 general election, McGinley will talk about the company’s role in producing millions of IFP stickers which were affixed to the end of each ballot paper just in time for the final campaigning and voting stages. Rian Moore of Collotype Labels RSA/Multi-Color Corporation will discuss the transformation process mergers and acquisitions make on your business and how to take advantage of being local and global as well as looking at the benefits of forming partnerships and joint ventures.

The afternoon consists of presentations on harnessing new technologies and innovating for the future. Codimag’s Pascal Duchene is joined by Jean-Michel Fouquet of CGP-ETIQROLL as they give a short run wine label printing case study and talk about digital workflow on a conventional press. Day one also features an African converter panel discussion with panelists including Leon Witbooi of SA Litho, Uwe Bögl of RAKO labels Cape Town, Litho-Chrome’s George Pryde and Peter Frost from Associated Printers. They will explore emerging technology trends and consider applications for future investment as well as give an overview of regional variations by their respective countries.

The second day will highlight opportunities in brand development, product design and positioning. Bill Marshall, managing director of Syndicate Graphics and chairman of the IPSA Gold Pack Awards will co-examine the changing landscape of package printing with Packaging & Print Media’s Gill Loubser. They will analyze the different types of packaging: cartons and flexibles and anticipate the likely future demand from brand owners and consumers.

Mark Anley from Indigo Brands will discuss developing innovative and iconic packaging. Looking at the cosmetics market in general, Anley will consider short run printing, personalization and explore multiple packaging application requirements. Day two will also take a fresh look at the retailer’s perspective with a panel discussion focusing on the rise of the private label versus branded products and what can be done to reduce retail theft, counterfeiting and tampering. Confirmed panelists already include Mark Anley and Susane Exsteen, private label technical manager, Clicks Group.

Lisa Milburn, managing director of Labelexpo says: “We are delighted to be returning to Cape Town for the second edition of Label Summit Africa. Delegates will get to the heart of the matter of how the African and indeed wider label and package printing industry is developing with practical first hand advice and effective how-tos. The Summit is designed for all label and package converting professionals who are looking to leverage their businesses with the latest technologies, applications and processes and fuller understanding of market trends and conditions. Attendees should leave the Summit equipped with smarter, more cost effective and sustainable ways of running their business and responding to clients’ needs.”

Delegates can register by visiting www.labelsummit.com/africa/. Two-day passes are available at the early bird rate of R2,360 until February 14.