Registration for the 40th anniversary edition of Labelexpo Europe, the world’s biggest label and package printing industry trade show, is now open. Set to take place once again at Brussels Expo from September 24-27, the four-day event will feature hundreds of live demonstrations of the latest technology, three brand new show features, three expert-led master classes and a workshop.
                 
Since its inaugural event in 1980, the biennial Labelexpo Europe has become established as the leading global industry platform for label and package printing professionals, and renowned for its high number of live machinery demonstrations. The show brings together manufacturers and suppliers of the most advanced collection of technology with printers, brand owners and designers under one roof. The key focus of the 2019 edition – “Move your business forward” – will be on improving business strategy and moving the industry forward. The 2019 show is again strongly supported and endorsed by the trade bodies FINAT, EUWID, Febelgra, SPPES, UNFEA and VskE.
  
Spread across nine exhibitions halls, over 600 confirmed exhibitors will be taking part, including ABG, Avery Dennison, Bobst, Domino, Durst, Epson, ETI, Fujifilm, Gallus, HP, Kocher & Beck, Konica Minolta, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, Omet, RotoMetrics, and Xeikon. Between them, they will be demonstrating their latest innovations and technology including: digital and conventional printing presses; high tech label and packaging materials; finishing and converting systems; inspection, overprinting and label application equipment; inks and coatings; RFID and security solutions; and software and interactive technology.
  
Running alongside the exhibition are three dynamic show features making their debut at Labelexpo Europe. The Flexible Packaging Arena is a demonstration and overview of two press lines – one conventional and one digital – producing indirect food contact flexible packaging to the latest GMP standards. Visitors will gain new insights from the industry-wide UVFoodSafe initiative into best practice for UV curing onto indirect food contact labels and flexible packaging. 
  
At the Brand Innovation Showcase, brand owner visitors will learn the secrets to achieving stand-out brand presence, explore award-winning label and packaging designs, and take part in an exclusive tour of key supplier stands where they will experience live demonstrations of the technology and innovations that could help turn their vision into reality.
  
At the Sustainability Insight Café area of the show, visitors will be able to see the latest sustainable products and services designed to support a more environmentally conscious label and package printing industry.

As in previous years, back by popular demand and in keeping with consumer trends that are currently influencing the market, there will also be three half-day expert-led master classes and a workshop run in association with the Label Academy. The  master classes will cover: 1) Flexible Packaging;  2) Inks, Coatings and Varnishes; and 3) Digital Label and Package Printing; while the workshop will cover Self-Adhesive Materials.
  
Lisa Milburn, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series, says:  “This is a milestone year for Labelexpo as it celebrates an incredible 40 years, so we wanted to mark that by creating our biggest, most ambitious show yet. This is a fast-moving industry that never stands still, but fundamental to that process is having the right tools and the right strategy, and we wanted to reflect that in this year’s show theme. Our objective is that the buyers attending Labelexpo Europe 2019 will, through live demonstrations, the innovative show features and expert-led master classes, find the right solutions that empower them to create a strategy which moves their businesses – and therefore the industry – forward.”
  
She adds, “We are especially proud to introduce the three new show features this year. We are very much looking forward to meeting with exhibitors and visitors over the course of the show.”
  
Also taking place, on the evening of September 24 is the prestigious annual Label Industry Global Awards, which recognizes key achievements in the label and package printing sector. The six awards include innovation, environment/sustainability and global achievement in the industry. Two of these – and new for this year – also cover industry rising stars and the top European converter. The gala ceremony will also celebrate Labelexpo’s 40th anniversary and is set to be twice as big as in previous years.