easyFairs proves an increasing draw for C&T

Published: 22-Feb-2011

Packaging expo attracts 5% more visitors


easyFairs Packaging, which ran from 16-17 February at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, has been declared a success by organisers having attracted 4,409 visitors, an increase of 5% on 2010’s show.

The event was divided into three sections: Packaging Innovations; Packtech, featuring a print for packaging zone; Ecopack, which focused on green packaging; and Contract Pack, an area dedicated to outsourcing.

New for this year’s show was a free seminar programme learnShop, which featured speakers from PepsiCo, Unilever, WRAP and The Packaging Federation, and attendees were invited to discuss whether packaging is seen as a public servant or public enemy in The BIG Packaging Debate.

Speaking at the show, easyFairs managing director Matt Benyon told SPC that the event was becoming an increasing draw for C&T companies. “If I’m being honest, when easyFairs began it was predominantly for the food and drinks industries, but recently we seem to have had more and more beauty companies attending,” he said. “For instance for the London show [which took place from 7-8 October 2010 at London’s Business Design Centre] Estée Lauder representatives travelled over from France and today we have a team of people from Avon here.”

easyFairs says that 71% of exhibitors rebooked on site for next year’s event which will run from 29 February-3 March 2012. “There’s an air of optimism in the packaging industry at the moment,” noted Benyon. “No-one’s been talking about the recession today, whereas last year they were. I think people have reached their boredom threshold when it comes to the recession and they’re now just getting on with business.”

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