On the first day of U.K.-based Tarsus Group’s biennial Labelexpo Americas, the aisles were not only packed with more attendees than the 2010 show, but also the showfloor itself was bigger than two years earlier.

Pre-registration was up 7 percent, compared with the 2010 show, according to Labelexpo Americas Event Manager Tasha Ventimiglia.

The 2010 show came in at just more than 12,500 attendees, but this year's ended up drawing 14,355 attendees.

In addition, the showfloor grew from 170,000 net square feet in 2010 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont to 185,000 net sq. ft. this year with 415 exhibitors.

“A lot of companies are really happy with the show,” Ventimiglia said. “They are really busy right now.”

She added there also were 95 new exhibiting companies on the showfloor at this year’s event.

“I have never seen as many new companies in the 11 years I have been working on the show,” Ventimiglia said.

By all accounts, while other manufacturing sectors may have stumbled during the recession, the $76 billion label and labeling industry has grown in leaps and bounds.

During a presentation, “Global Convertor Panel Discussion”, Mike Fairley, director of global strategic development for the Labelexpo Global Series, said, “It’s a big industry now. It’s grown rapidly over the last 30 years.”

The lion’s share of the label and labeling industry is in North America, Western Europe and China, but Fairley said emerging markets, such as India and Africa, are predicted to grow rapidly.

Tarsus, which bought Labelexpo Americas, a few other related shows and an industry magazine in 1998, has capitalized on the overall growth in the label and labeling industry, launching 12 events in all worldwide, according to Tarsus’ Managing Director Douglas Emslie.

“Our newest show will be in Bali,” Emslie said, adding the company also is looking at other Southeast Asian markets to grow the Labelexpo portfolio even more, such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Existing shows in emerging markets, including Labelexpo India that is on tap Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in New Delhi, have sold-out showfloors.

On the Labelexpo Americas showfloor, there were several new features at this year’s event including a laser die cutting workshop at which four different laser printing companies showed off their machines by all producing the exact same label; the package printing workshop, which is a growing sector within the industry; and the Ecovillage that was developed in conjunction with Greenwood Fuels, where there was a presentation on how to make the industry more sustainable.

Attendees walking the showfloor gave it positive reviews, especially as a place to see all of the latest technology trends.

“I come here every (other) year looking for the latest and greatest in equipment,” said Jon Sniker, plant manager for CL&D Graphics.

He added, “This shows us what’s going on in the industry. What is up-and-coming.”

Exhibiting companies, such as Indigo, a division of Hewlett-Packard Company, come to the show to demonstrate their latest technologies and, of course, sell product.

“I’ve been at each and every Labelexpo,” said Christian Menegon, business development manager for Indigo, adding that this year has been a successful one in selling machines. “Our target for this show is to sell (even) more machines.”

The 2014 Labelexpo Americas already seems to be on track for success as well, with more than 50 percent of the showfloor rebooked, according to Ventimiglia, with the ultimate goal of rebooking 80 percent before the end of the show.

In the meantime, it’s important to keep the momentum going between shows. To do so, Ventimiglia said Labelexpo hosts a seminar in Rosemont during the off years to which attendees and exhibitors are invited.

“We give industry info on trends, tips to exhibitors, we have the (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute) speak about sustainability,” she added. “Last year’s event was completely sold out.”