Registration opens for Label Congress 2021

The event will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Chicago, IL, between September 29 and October 1, 2021. It will be built around two days of conference sessions featuring leading-edge presentations and discussion panel sessions, followed on the third day by a Label Academy master class on self-adhesive materials. 

Running alongside the congress sessions and masterclass will be an exhibition hall packed with the latest technologies from leading industry suppliers, including Xeikon, Accraply, Mactac, Durst, Fujifilm, Colordyne, Labeltraxx, and Cartes. 

Day 1 (Wednesday 29) will feature an overview of the global label market, followed by a session on exciting new developments in digital embellishment technology. Panel discussions will look at how to optimize hybrid printing and strategies for diversifying into flexible packaging - the latter including leading converting group AWT Labels & Packaging. The first day concludes with a session on how the Internet of Things will impact the future of smart labels and packaging. 

Day 2 (Thursday 30) will start with Lifetime Achievement winner Federico d’Annunzio examining how converters should respond to brands’ increasing demands for data transparency. This will be followed by panel discussions on practical sustainability strategies and how to recruit and retain talent, concluding with a session from regular Labels & Labeling contributor Paul Brauss on lean manufacturing strategies.

The half-day Label Academy Masterclass, led by Tarsus Labels & Packaging group strategic director Andy Thomas-Emans will include deep dive sessions into adhesive and silicone technologies, manufacturing process and performance characteristics of self-adhesive labels, die-cutting properties and testing procedures for in-plant quality control. The masterclass is targeted at brand owners and designers who specify PS materials as well as label converters and industry suppliers. 

The machine demonstrations and conference sessions will be made available to the rest of the global industry the day following the event itself, broadcast on Labelexpo’s secure online platform. This will allow a global audience to benefit from the technology demonstrations and expert-led sessions available to congress visitors during the week when Labelexpo Europe would usually have been running.

‘Label Congress 2021 has been specifically tailored to the current climate and will give a much-needed chance for the industry to meet in person,’ said Tasha Ventimiglia, Label Congress 2021 event director. ‘Label Congress 2021 is situated at the heart of the US print industry, within driving distance of most of the key converting states. The congress will include a VIP program engaging directly with the key converters from the Midwest.’

Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Tarsus Labels, Packaging and Brand Print Group, added: ‘Label Congress is a smaller, carefully curated event, different to Labelexpo Americas. This is to adhere to the strict guidelines of Covid-19 protocols, which will include wider aisles, reduced visitor traffic and a strict deep cleaning regime. We are working in partnership with local Illinois authorities, event partners and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center to meet and exceed local safety standards.’

From a leading converter’s perspective, Mark Glendenning, CEO and owner of Inland Printing, said: ‘I want to be one of those first people reconnecting into the industry because I think we’ll get leverage like we’ve never gotten before. I encourage you to go to Label Congress. It’s a one-time opportunity that will never happen again. You’re going to want to be there.’

Commenting on the benefits of the Label Congress conference sessions, Glendenning added: ‘Education is so much more valuable when it co-exists with networking. Live conferences far exceed going it alone watching a YouTube video. Further down the road, if you come across a challenge, you’ve got people you can call to run it by. That’s the power of connecting education with networking. It’s invaluable.’

The next edition of Labelexpo Americas will take place on September 13-15, 2022, also at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.                      

An early bird booking discount for converters, designers and brand owners is available until September 10, 2021, with expo-only passes costing USD 30 (USD 40 thereafter) and conference passes USD 270 (USD 340 thereafter). Both expo-only passes and conference passes are also available for suppliers.  

To register and book accommodation for Label Congress 2021, visit www.labelexpo.com/congress.