Registration is now open for Label Congress 2021, the first in-person networking and educational event for the US label industry since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organized by Labelexpo Global Series, Label Congress 2021 will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Chicago, IL between September 29 and October 1, 2021. Early bird discounts are available at www.labelexpo.com/congress/

Label Congress 2021 will be built around two days of conference sessions featuring leading edge presentations and discussion panel sessions, followed on the third day by a Label Academy master class on self-adhesive materials.

Running alongside the congress sessions and masterclass will be an exhibition hall packed with the latest technologies from leading industry suppliers including Xeikon, Accraply, MacTac, Durst, Fujifilm, Colordyne, Labeltraxx and Cartes.

The Congress conference sessions are broadly divided into Technology and Global Market overviews on Day 1 (Wednesday, Sept. 29) and Future Proofing Your Business streams on Day 2. Day 1 features an overview of the global label market, followed by a session on exciting new developments in digital embellishment technology. Panel discussions will look at how to optimize hybrid printing and strategies for diversifying into flexible packaging - the latter including leading converting group AWT Labels & Packaging. The first day concludes with a session on how the Internet of Things will impact the future of smart labels and packaging.

Day 2 starts with Lifetime Achievement winner Federico d’Annunzio examining how converters should respond to brands’ increasing demands for data transparency. This is followed by panel discussions on practical sustainability strategies and how to recruit and retain talent, concluding with a session from regular Labels & Labeling contributor Paul Brauss on lean manufacturing strategies.

The half day Label Academy Masterclass is led by Tarsus Labels & Packaging group Strategic Director Andy Thomas-Emans and includes deep dive sessions into adhesive and silicone technologies, manufacturing process and performance characteristics of self-adhesive labels, die cutting properties and testing procedures for in-plant quality control. The masterclass is targeted at brand owners and designers who specify PS materials as well as label converters and industry suppliers. 

The machine demonstrations and conference sessions will be made available to the rest of the global industry the day following the event itself, broadcast on Labelexpo’s secure online platform. This will allow a global audience to benefit from the technology demonstrations and expert-led sessions available to Congress visitors during the week when Labelexpo Europe would usually have been running.

"Label Congress 2021 has been specifically tailored to the current climate and will give a much-needed chance for the industry to meet in person," says Label Congress 2021 Event Director Tasha Ventimiglia. "Label Congress 2021 is situated at the heart of the US print industry, within driving distance of most of the key converting states. The Congress will include a VIP program engaging directly with the key converters from the Midwest."

Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Tarsus Labels, Packaging and Brand Print Group, comments, "Label Congress is a smaller, carefully curated event, different to Labelexpo Americas. This is to adhere to the strict guidelines of COVID-19 protocols, which will include wider aisles, reduced visitor traffic and a strict deep cleaning regime. We are working in partnership with local Illinois authorities, event partners and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center to meet and exceed local safety standards."

Mark Glendenning, CEO & Owner of Inland Printing, says he is looking forward to Label Congress, commenting, "I want to be one of those first people reconnecting into the industry because I think we’ll get leverage like we’ve never gotten before. I encourage you to go to Label Congress. It’s a one-time opportunity that will never happen again. You’re going to want to be there."

Speaking on the benefits of the Label Congress conference sessions, Glendenning adds, "Education is so much more valuable when it co-exists with networking. Live conferences far exceed going it alone watching a Youtube video. Further down the road, if you come across a challenge, you’ve got people you can call to run it by. That’s the power of connecting education with networking. It’s invaluable."

The next edition of Labelexpo Americas will take place on September 13-15, 2022, also at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.