Special preview event highlights importance of community, connecting and collaboration 

A collection of key industry voices from the UK Packaging sector together with organisers and guest speakers (recently/this week/on 23 June), for the inaugural meeting of the London Packaging Week and Packaging Innovations & Empack Birmingham’s joint Ambassadors Club launch - a new steering group aimed at promoting increased collaboration, knowledge-sharing and promoting best practices amongst packaging professionals. 

Featuring exclusive speaker taster sessions, open floor discussions and key industry topic insights, the event also gave attendees the opportunity to network with VIP brands, media partners and industry experts. 

“The aim of the Ambassadors Club is to give us a 360-degree future view of the industry, with a combination of exhibitors and guest speakers delivering a lot of knowledge in palatable half-day bi-annual get-togethers,” said Ambassadors club host Parisa Maleki, Community & Content Manager for group organiser Easyfairs. “Today’s first meeting was a content preview and steering day. Although we had a selection of guest speakers joining us, this was much less about visitors watching a presentation and more about interaction and being a part of the conversation.” 

The three speakers at the event each gave a different take on current issues affecting the packaging industry. Eva Lagarde, founder of Re/Sources, gave a fascinating interview in which she looked at sustainability 2.0 in the beauty sector, highlighting where the industry is currently, and what’s coming next. Strategy Advisor & Mentor Wizz Selvey, of brand and retail strategy consultancy Wizz&Co, shared an exclusive preview of her strategy for the specifics of ‘How to scale a brand,” before Cameron Worth, Founder of SharpEnd/io.tt delivered some fascinating insights on how technology innovation can be leveraged to build brands in a connected world. 

The gathered Ambassadors also heard from Adam Ryan, Creative Director of UK Packaging Shows and Head of Pentawards – a global platform and community for design – who spoke of the history of London Packaging Week and how the 2023 event will look at the challenges faced by the industry today. “This year’s speaker line-up is the best we’ve ever had, covering everything and anything related to packaging,” he said, “and importantly these experts are responding to requests for insight and information that we’ve had from exhibitors and visitors alike.” 

The first Ambassadors Club meeting was held just three months before London Packaging Week, the vibrant home for packaging innovation and design that boasts four focused events to drive innovation and business. Each targets a specific community and combines to create a dynamic, inspirational event that drives packaging innovation, enterprise and connections at the heart of the UK's luxury and consumer products markets. 

“The Ambassadors Club gives us all an opportunity to speak, to get involved, and take part in events like this,” said James Montero-MacColl. “Bringing together design specialists, scientists, CEOs, innovators and sustainability experts, it’s all about community, connecting and collaborating.” 

The event, held at the unconventional venue of Everyman Cinema in Broadgate Circle, with networking in the bar area and presentations and discussions held in a luxurious private screen topped off with London Packaging Week themed Snacks, examined recent exclusive survey data revealing key trends affecting brands and packaging designers, and everything from consumer habits and attitudes to changing legislation around the world. 

“Having all this knowledge together helps us to bring the discussions to life,” added James Montero-MacColl, Senior Marketing Manager. “The steering group serves as a vehicle for members to ask peers questions and share valuable insights, to foster meaningful connections with like-minded professionals, encourage and develop standardised best practices while enhancing their overall knowledge.” 

Hundreds of the world's biggest suppliers and thousands of designers, packaging developers, marketers, founders and buyers are expected to descend on London Packaging Week’s brand-new home at the ExCel in London on 21 & 22 September. This year’s free-to-attend talks are set to be bigger than ever, with founders and CEOs of internationally successful brands sharing their stories and expertise. The speakers are curated to match the food, beauty, drinks, and luxury markets and will relay stories of their journey and how packaging played a part in their brand strategies. 

"There's a reason London Packaging Week remains the beating heart of a global network of brands, innovators, designers and creators – its credentials in breaking down what the next 12 months and beyond have in store for the world of packaging design, branding, and material innovation, are second to none,” said James. “Following our first Ambassadors Club meeting, we’re looking forward to attracting a bumper crowd to our two-day showpiece, and delivering on our promise to 'solve your packaging challenges'.” 

London Packaging Week 2023 is held at the ExCel in London on 21 & 22 September 2023. Register here to attend, or if you are looking to exhibit you can check the final remaining stand packages here.