16th Edition of Labelexpo Americas Boasts Largest Show in Its History

October 11, 2018

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.   

 

 

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Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.