The 16th edition of Tarsus Group’s biennial trade show, Labelexpo Americas, was the largest in its history.

A total of 487 exhibitors were spread across the biggest floorspace yet, at 203,642 square feet, with almost 30 percent of exhibitors new to this year’s show.

During the course of the three-day show, which took place Sept. 25-27 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, an increase in attendees to 16,413 from 86 countries passed through its doors.

The Latin America region was especially strongly represented, with a 95-percent increase on its 2016 show attendee total.

Day three, traditionally a quieter day, saw more than 11 percent visitors than on the same day in 2016.

By the end of day three, the show organizer reported an 83 percent rebook rate for its 2020 event.

Labelexpo Americas 2018 was the perfect place to showcase new products to the U.S. market, with key press unveilings including: the Mark Andy P9E, P7E, and P5E; Xeikon’s entry-level label printing and converting option, Label Discovery; Epson’s UV LED cured L-6534 digital press; Grafisk Maskinfabrik’s DC330Mini converting machine; and AB Graphic’s new ILC760 in-line coating machine. 

Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas event director, said: “The tremendous feedback we’ve had from exhibitors and visitors alike at this year’s Labelexpo Americas demonstrates that there’s a real momentum in the industry right now, and that was reflected in the buyer’s mood, with numerous sales achieved on the show floor and a strong international focus.”

She added, “This year’s theme ‘Explore your Future’ really was evident, with more fascinating innovations than ever before providing even more choice for buyers, and a significant increase in exhibitors. It really shows that press manufacturers and the industry supply chain are upping their game. The Automation Arena and TLMI Ecovillage proved to be huge hits, with many packed out demonstrations on the show floor, and are further proof that the industry continues to evolve.”

Some first-time aspects of this year’s show included NFC tags in all of our badges and 1:1 appointments on the showfloor.

“In summary, we are delighted with yet another hugely successful show,” Ventimiglia said.

He added, “This continued rise in exhibitor numbers, the increasing interest from Latin American visitors, alongside the rebook rate for our 2020 show, are testament to Labelexpo Americas’ unrivalled quality and variety. All of these reaffirm Labelexpo Americas’ position as the number one label and package printing show in the Americas.”

Dan Muenzer, president of TLMI, agreed: “There’s a lot of excitement around this Labelexpo that I haven’t seen before. There are more innovations being launched here than in previous issues, just because the speed of technology introduction is changing. It’s exceeded my expectations, and my expectations were high.”

Geert de Proost, director solutions marketing for Esko, who took part in the new Automation Arena area, said: “It was brilliant in its very simplicity. Not everybody who attends Labelexpo has a way to comprehend everything in the different booths. You’ve got many vendors and technologies on the show floor, and it can be difficult for attendees to try to ‘connecting the dots’. That’s precisely what Automation Arena does.”

He added, “It combines what is in all the different booths and helps people understand how easy and simple it is to take their businesses to the next level.” 

The Automation Arena was a demonstration of two fully automated press lines, showcasing a digital press printing labels and a conventional flexo press printing shrink sleeves.

In just a few days, all 13 participants were able to set up a fully functioning print house and run two print jobs in just 40 minutes.

“This is nothing that has ever been seen in the US before. Automation is the future of manufacturing. and we at Labelexpo constantly strive to showcase exciting, relevant and cutting-edge technology to our attendees,” Ventimiglia said.

Three popular Label Academy master classes were led by Mike Fairley and Andy Thomas-Emans, covering shrink sleeves; inks, coatings and varnishes; and MIS workflow automation.

This was complemented by a packed two-day conference program, with highlights including a CEO converter panel discussion presided over by Craig Moreland, a panel discussion on package printing, plus sessions on workforce development, flexible packaging, and creating products with stand-out presence.