Experts from well-known Colombian brands and leading associations in the region’s label and package printing industry are among the speakers confirmed to take part in the 20th edition of Label Summit Latin America, taking place at Agora Bogotá Convention Center in Bogotá, Colombia.

From 12-13 March, the two-day conference, organized by Labelexpo Global Series, aims to equip delegates with in-depth label and package printing trade knowledge, market insights, trends, and the industry’s latest technologies.

Opening day one – which focuses on market trends, design and branding – alongside Labelexpo, is Chelsea McDougall, group managing editor, Labels & Labeling, who will give an overview of the global market. This is followed by Tatiana Duarte, executive president at industry association ANDIGRAF. She will talk about the economic, political and supply chain challenges in Colombia and the wider region.

Andrés Felipe Peláez, R&D director at ARclad, platinum sponsor for the event, will demystify the terminology behind label and package printing sustainability. Further day one highlights include a keynote address from Laura Reyes Castellanos, executive director at CEMPRE (the Business Commitment to Recycling), who will discuss how the Plastics Pact for Colombia can drive a circular economy for plastics across the supply chain. Other day one sessions include a presentation led by Eric Pell, client development director at Makro (Colombia), and Juan José Posada, president/COO at Grey (Colombia), on innovations in packaging design. Fernando Arendar, founder, Nitid Studio, will present on the ways in which neuromarketing can influence packaging design. Closing day one is an insight into creating the perfect coffee label, led by Daniel Jaramillo, director of innovation, Alico, along with Catalina Hoyos Restrepo, brand director and Juanita Jimenez, brand design leader, Buendía.

Day two sessions – which focus on business improvement and taking advantage of commercial opportunities – open with a presentation on diversification and making the move into new print segments led by Carolina Petro, commercial manager at converter Ideartes Impresores. Aislan Yaron Baer, CEO of ProjectoPack, will present on improving operational efficiency and financial management. Maria Paula Murcia Sánchez, freelance talent hunter and careers advisor, will talk about upskilling, attracting, and retaining new talent post-pandemic.

Further day two highlights feature a debate on pan-regional growth opportunities, moderated by Giovanni Gómez, director of economic affairs at trade association ANALDEX. Confirmed panelists include Jaime Yoshiyama, general manager at Peruvian converter, Kuresa, and Alessandra Costa, head of innovation at All4Labels, which has recently expanded its operation throughout Latin America. This is followed by a session focusing on the rise of counterfeiting and opportunities in brand protection, led by Ari Vonderwalde, CEO at Etiflex Mexico and Nathan Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Scantrust. The conference ends with a debate discussing the future of the label converter, moderated by David Ricardo Muñoz, editor in chief, El Empaque + Conversión. Confirmed panelists include Manuel Yepes, commercial director of Viappiani, Luis Fernando Herrera Salinas, production director at Impreac – Impresos y Acabados SAS and Jorge Galofre, CEO, Alfa Print SAS.

Mirco Mazzarella, event manager for Label Summit Latin America 2024, added: “Label Summit Latin America always aims to deliver highly engaging, educational content with an esteemed line up of expert speakers looking into the latest industry trends and market insights that are shaping the future of the industry. This year’s edition is no exception. We want to inspire all delegates and exhibitors with the knowledge and tools they need to drive their businesses forward in Colombia and the wider region, and this year’s two-day conference is the perfect opportunity for them to achieve just that.”