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Which are the main ones and why should we participate?
Trade fairs connect cultures and will continue to be of essential importance for all sectors. They represent a springboard for innovative companies and after over 2 years of pandemic, exhibitors and visitor are thrilled to meet and share ideas for the future. Exhibitions provide an overview of what the industry has to offer, they connect people from every corner of the world and they are the place where decision-makers meet in person and create new project and collaborations based on trust.
Starting from 2020 we have seen numerous online events in the fashion industry, car industry, food sector, in tourism any many more. In the packaging and printing industry, exhibitions are the place where new ideas meet and new trends come to light, in particular when it comes to materials, sustainability and digitalization. These sectors have all been able to adapt to the challenges of Covid and have moved online but we are all ready to get back to in-person events and meet in the biggest locations around the world.
Toppy has participated with its Pile Turners to Drupa, LogiMAT, Hispack and many more events in the past and is looking forward to taking part in more exhibitions soon. We have already started preparing for Drupa 2024 because we support trade fairs and believe that they are absolutely necessary in order to restart the economy. They generate ideas, business and collaboration and we are glad to be part of all this.
Why companies should participate in fairs
Succeeding in a global economy really is a challenge. Competition in high and the pressure can be overwhelming. Trade fairs provide a great opportunity to all companies that want to demonstrate they innovative projects and are ready to take on the competition.
Trade fairs:
- Provide a comprehensive picture of products and companies that have a strong presence in the sector
- Encourage collaboration
- Boost transparency in the market by representing a variety of competitors
- Allow for an immersive experience where potential clients can see, touch, try and give feedback on the product
- Help companies boost exports and reach new targets in international markets
- Build trust and loyalty
- Provide an occasion to check out the new trends in the industry
- Allow you to communicate the brand values and create a strong brand image
- Motivate employees
Trade fairs are an affordable way for small and medium-sized companies to access international markets and show their potential. They have been and will continue to be an essential tool to generate business.
The advent of Digital Trade Fairs
Online events have become an alternative to physical fairs during the pandemic. They generally feature an interesting and extensive conference program for exhibitors and visitors, participants have the chance to connect with new and existing contacts using online matchmaking tools and digital tools allow for a relaxed experience from the comfort of your office.
Virtual events have transformed the landscape of trade fairs but they require presenters with great entertainment talent in order to keep the participants over a long period of time and a 3D design that will WOW the crowd.
Some advantages of online exhibitions include:
- Reduced costs both for exhibitors and visitors
- People can participate for as long as they wish and only follow selected events
- Multi- channel engagement can improve sales and create new collaborations
- Maximized reach
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Accessible anywhere through different devices- even from your phone!
Trends in packaging and printing Trade Fairs
These industries have been able to demonstrate their innovative strength throughout the pandemic and participants were delighted to meet again once the regulations allowed for safe, in presence trade shows.
The driving topics in the packaging and printing industry include:
- Sustainable production
- Automated processes
- Digitalization
- Smart packaging
- Remote assistance
Companies are now working on new solutions to increase energy efficiency and save resources to be able to meet the government’s targets for climate change for the coming years.
The future of trade fairs in packaging and in printing
The trade fair format of the future combines the best traits of the physical and digital world.
Digital events provide extra advantages to the in-person experience and are considered valuable in terms of visibility and reach. We cannot replace trade shows, but we can take them to the next level thanks to digital tools that offer sales and networking possibilities from anywhere in the world.
Demonstrating the use of machines online has proven to be effective but for exhibitors looking to build relationships based on trust, participating in a physical fair is fundamental. The packaging sector is technologically advanced and able to adapt to the circumstances and the printing industry had a positive boost during the pandemic, but most exhibitors are now ready and excited to promote their products to a crowd and get feedback from potential customers.
Biggest Trade Fairs in the packaging industry
#Interpack Dusselforf (4-10 May 2023)
#Interpack is one of the most important trade fairs in the packaging sector. In 2017, with a record participation of 2,865 companies, 74% coming from abroad – three quarters of them were decision-makers.
All4Pack (EMBALLAGE) Paris
All4Pack, previously called Emballage, is one of the key international packaging exhibitions. Every two years, the event gathers the biggest names in the industry from food and beverage to consumer goods and luxury products. It holds more than 79,000 trade visitors, 35% of whom from and over 75% of them were actively looking to expand their business during the event. The highlight of the event is the Objective Zero Impact space designed to showcase startups and innovations in the industry
Pack Expo, Chicago (Oct 2022)
Pack Expo is a biennially held trade fair for packaging technology. Pack Expo exhibitors showcase the latest developments in packaging machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages, containers and components. The industries´ top technicians and engineers are present to provide packaging solutions for all needs.
LogiMAT, Stuttgard (April 2023)
LogiMAT, the International Trade Show for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management, sets new standards as the biggest annual intralogistics exhibition in Europe. This is the leading international trade fair that provides a comprehensive market overview and competent knowledge-transfer. LogiMAT 2022 scored a big win in the post-pandemic era, re-emerging with a broad slate of exhibitors and a highly engaged visitor base. Smart – Sustainable – Safe” was the theme of this year’s three-day event, bringing together 1,571 registered exhibitors from 39 countries, including 393 first-time exhibitors and 74 big-name vendors from overseas.
FACHPACK , Nuremberg (27 – 29 September 2022)
A compact, three-day working trade fair where packaging issues are actually tackled.
In 2019 1,644 exhibitors and more than 44,000 visitors from all industries found a platform for an inspiring dialogue at FACHPACK. And even in the year of the pandemic in 2021, 789 exhibitors and around 24,000 trade visitors did not miss the chance to visit FACHPACK on site in Nuremberg. In a compact, three-day programme, the latest innovations and developments in the packaging sector take centre-stage and generate new ideas and projects for the future – because tomorrow begins when you create it.
CCE Munich
CCE International focusses solely on manufacturing and converting of corrugated and cartonboard. The trade fair has firmly established itself as a specialized meeting point for this industry sector. Suppliers of machinery, accessories and services meet international industry experts from the corrugated and folding carton industry who are looking for bespoke product and process solutions and have concrete investment plans.
Important trade fairs in the printing industry
Drupa, Dusseldorf (May- June 2024)
Drupa is the world’s largest trade fair for the printing and media industry in Dusseldorf. This is where the global suppliers of print and media industry with a large number of international exhibitors, products and services in the areas of print and media pre-press, printing machines, bookbinding, paper processing and more. The visitors will find information on the latest developments, trends, services and products from the different areas.
Graphispag, Barcelona (2024)
During the last fair in May 2022, Graphispag put on different kinds of activities for all the visitors and exhibitors with the intention of creating opportunities to unify criteria and update knowledge. Graphispag held 30 talks and panel discussions with the participation of 54 speakers. These were designed to help printers to find inspiration to revamp their graphic service portfolios and expand their businesses. In the 2022 fair, Graphispag and Hispack joined forces and brought together 300 exhibitors with solutions for all the sectors with printing needs, promoting the fastest-growing graphic specialities, such as packaging, labels and publishing.
Printpack India
PRINTPACK INDIA, in May 2022 was a 5-days event, that showcased products like In-Press, Post-Press, Finishing, Converting, Digital & Signage and Packaging Machines, Packaging Materials, Printing & Publishing, Paper and Paper Products, Logistics & Transportation Industries and allied Products. 487 companies from over 50 countries have participated with their latest technology-based machines and other related products.
Conclusion
For decades trade fairs have been a cornerstone of corporate marketing, networking and sales.
2020 forced us to change the format of these events and start creating a digital environment in which we can show our products and connect with clients and competitors. The virtual platform has some benefits, but most people would agree that shows attended in person will be just as important in the future and that they will become even more effective in the post-pandemic scenario.
