The Labelexpo events are a mainstay for anyone in the label value chain. While Labelexpo is now held as seven different regional events, the two main events have been held in alternating years between Brussels, Belgium and Rosemont (Chicago). The last pre-pandemic Labelexpo was held in Brussels in September of 2019. The last US event was to be held in September of 2020, but as we all know—in addition to many other industry events—that was not to be. 

However, the label and packaging industries, in addition to other print industries, have been operating, and in some cases growing even faster, post-pandemic. To address these needs, hardware and software manufacturers have been developing new products, but have not had many face-to-face opportunities to show these new developments. Recently, we have started to see the reemergence of live in-person events. Some of these, like the recently held Packexpo in Las Vegas, hosted thousands of people. Not everyone has been comfortable with attending events of that size yet, even with the extra precautions. Other events like the Inkjet Summit, the upcoming Canon thINK event, have decided to reengage with their audience via smaller events. 

Labelexpo decided the industry couldn’t wait until April 2022 for the Brussels event or September 2022 for the US event, so they held a pared down Label Congress 2021 event in Rosemont from September 29 to 30. The event was designed with a significant informational and educational focus, with two full days of conference sessions. In the opening session, Corey Reardon, President and CEO of AWA, and Linnea Keen, President of TLMI, provided comprehensive industry growth statistics and discussed opportunities and challenges.