More than 13,000 label and package printing industry professionals hailing from 77 countries flocked to the recent Labelexpo Americas, held Sept. 13-15 at the Donald E Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. With the key theme of digital transformation, the biennial trade show and conference focused on the latest developments in digital label printing and embellishment, along with sustainability and workflow automation. 

Owned and produced by Tarsus Group, the show is one of seven Labelexpo trade shows and conferences in the Labelexpo Global Series that are held in different markets throughout the world.

The 2022 Americas edition marked a long-awaited reunion for the industry, as the event hadn’t taken place since 2018 due to a pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020. As a result, the show welcomed large numbers of first-time attendees, particularly from Latin American countries, and attendees spent longer amounts of time at the show compared to previous years. 

According to Labelexpo Event Director Tasha Ventimiglia, the show’s robust turnout was also the result of a large and strategic focus on digital marketing and social media to keep attendees informed on what and who they would see at the event, as well as using personal videos and working with key industry partners and associations to promote the show.

“It’s been a long four years since our industry has been together, so we knew how important it was for Labelexpo Americas to be back,” Ventimiglia said. “We worked extremely closely with our exhibitors to ensure that we had the latest equipment, products and services being displayed at the event. We are lucky to have amazing exhibitors to work with us on making this happen.” 

She continued, “We were beyond thrilled by the energy we had from the minute the doors opened on the first morning to the time the event concluded. It was unlike any Labelexpo Americas that I have seen before in my 20 years of working this event.”

On a busy and energetic 158,900-square-foot showfloor, 362 global digital printing and labeling companies displayed the latest developments in label-converting technology and conducted hundreds of live demonstrations, with automation and digital replacement of analog processes key themes across the event.

Many exhibitors said they had greatly anticipated returning to Labelexpo to showcase their companies and new product lines, as well as connect face-to-face with customers, prospects and peers after two years of remote work and quarantines.

“Labelexpo Americas was a strategically important show for all companies in our business,” said Uffe Nielsen, CEO of GM. “This was a long-awaited chance to demonstrate a wide range of our label finishing innovations and fortunately, it turned out to be a very successful show for us. We had constant activity at our booth and valuable and informative meetings with customers, and we networked with new prospects. We are going back home with many sales and leads, and we already look forward to Labelexpo 2023 in Brussels.” 

Additionally, many exhibitors commented that the 2022 show had more than exceeded their expectations, thanks to strong booth traffic and buzzing aisles comprising serious and focused buyers looking to conduct business and make purchases. 

Labelexpo Americas was an overwhelming success for A B Graphic International (ABG), according to Matt Burton, global sales director of the company. 

“The level of interest we received across a whole range of finishing lines was really gratifying after a few years of no exhibitions. On a personal level, it was great to be back at Labelexpo meeting customers and partners in person. It’s these moments that make the label industry a great place to work.”

The industry’s move toward sustainability was also demonstrated across the show floor, with TLMI, the label industry’s leading association, holding a series of presentations on its Eco Stage and arranging the recycling of printed rolls into fuel pellets.  

Meanwhile, the event’s packed Labelexpo Conference covered the latest issues and advancements in the industry, with six education sessions covering top-of-mind topics including the current state of the global label market, supply chain complexities and automation alongside two master classes on digital embellishment and self-adhesive label materials. 

One of the show’s many highlights included the Global Label Reunion Party on the first evening of the event. Combined with the Label Industry Awards ceremony for the first time ever, the celebration attracted almost 1,000 people for a festive evening of entertainment and networking. 

“Labelexpo Americas 2022 was a fantastic event for our association and our members,” said Linnea Keen, president of TLMI. “The energy was infectious [and] visitors were eager to learn, reconnect, engage and conduct business. After four long years of conducting business virtually, it’s clear that exhibitions like Labelexpo are vital to the health of our dynamic industry. TLMI couldn’t be prouder to partner with Tarsus Group and Labelexpo on its much anticipated and successful return. It was the reunion we all needed!” 

Labelexpo Americas will return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Sept. 10-12, 2024.

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