Page 42 - FINAT Yearbook 2014

LABELEXPO EUROPE
LABELEXPO AND FINAT ESTABLISH
NEW ADVISORY BOARD
For many years, Brussels has provided the ‘hangout’ for the world’s label industry. Since Labelexpo Europe moved from the UK to the European capital on the mainland, the show has grown from strength to strength. Against the trend of trade exhibitions in printing and packaging, Labelexpo Europe in September last year again exceeded all previous editions on visitor and exhibitor numbers as well as floor space, and has become the leading global label industry event of its kind. ‘Where does this end?’ one might ask. The joint Labelexpo – FINAT Advisory Board is the industry’s safeguard against complacency.
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From 24-27 September, Labelexpo Europe 2013 brought together over 600 exhibitors and more than 30 thousand visitors from over 125 countries world-wide, on a total floor space of 31 thousand square meters covering 7 halls of the Brussels Expo complex. The general mood at the show was very positive and as at many occasions in the past, these vibes marked a positive shift in the label industry’s business climate. And with special feature areas on inkjet and package printing, the show has untapped potential for further growth in the future.
CHALLENGES
So given this upbeat assessment, can Labelexpo as the organiser and FINAT as the presenting partner rest on their laurels? Absolutely not!
With the growing size and diversity of the show, the number of challenges increases accordingly. Challenges may appear in many areas of operation: registration and badging, internet connectivity, stand and exhibition hall catering, programme planning and scheduling, handling and logistics, facility management, cleaning and air conditioning, stand building and contracting, customs clearance, stand security and visitor safety, exhibitor compliance, parking, traffic and public transport, lodging, etc. etc.
LABELEXPO ADVISORY BOARD: COMBINED KNOW- LEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Exhibition planning and organising is a trade and profession of its own which involves the combined knowledge and experience of all stakeholders concerned: exhibition organisers, venue operators, city council, exhibitors and, of course, the visitors of the event. As the representative body of the entire labelling value chain in Europe, FINAT has joined forces with the management of Labelexpo, to establish the new, enlarged Labelexpo Advisory Board.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Purpose of the so-called ‘LAB’ is to provide a platform to drive continuous improvement of the world’s largest exhibition for this industry. It provides a channel for visitors and exhibitors united in FINAT by collecting, analysing feedback and agreeing on targets for improvement with the show organisers. The new, enlarged platform was formed after Labelexpo Europe 2011, when a group of exhibitors got together to evaluate the show and put together a checklist of areas for further improvement. These were discussed in a joint meeting with the Labelexpo management and already resulted in adjustments in the service package for the 2013 edition.
In the meantime, the LAB has met four times in its present
FINAT YEARBOOK 2014 |