The UK's premier packaging event looks set to be the most insight-packed, inspiring, and forward-thinking to date, with over 7,000 visitors expected across the two days.

Organisers Easyfairs believe this year's Packaging Innovations & Empack show will once again demonstrate the need to innovate for a future that demands more from packaging solutions.

Over 7,000 visitors will file through the doors of Birmingham's NEC on February 21 & 22 to celebrate one of the highlights of the global packaging calendar. The two-day showpiece will gather packaging professionals from NPD, R&D, marketing, buying, branding, and design backgrounds and connect them with over 400 exhibitors from some of the biggest names in world packaging.

Key-decision makers from brands such as Asda, Aldi, Diageo, Costa Coffee, Sainsbury's, Molson Coors, Tesco, Superdrug, Unilever, Hovis, Waitrose, Oh Polly, Nestle, Unilever, Britvic and Iceland are confirmed to be in attendance, exploring a diverse array of suppliers offering a comprehensive range of packaging products and services, spanning from design to cutting-edge primary and secondary packaging, contract packing, e-commerce fulfilment, labelling and printing, and advanced packing and processing technology.

Renan Joel, Divisional Director – UK & Global Packaging Portfolio at Easyfairs, said: "Whether you're an exhibitor, a visitor, or indeed part of the Easyfairs family, we're all on a journey and with every passing year, we're starting to understand better our role in providing a platform for the packaging industry specialists to demonstrate, discuss and discover products and services that support every step of the packaging journey.

"With job profiles including CEOs, MDs, packaging development, R&D, and procurement making up over half of attendees, and 62% of all visitors stating 'finding new suppliers' as their predominant reason for attending, this combined purchasing power and the circa 400 exhibitors set to fill Halls are a match made in heaven.

"Planning was already underway as the curtain came down on last year's event, and having been in regular contact with all the exhibitors throughout the past 12 months, we know both the standard of the packaging solutions on show, as well as clever ways in which they are showcased, will increase again. There are just too many exciting plans to mention, but it never ceases to amaze us how creative and dynamic the packaging sector can be."

And there is certainly no shortage of creativity, with show debutants Zeus Packaging (F54) cycling to power their exhibition booth, there's the opportunity to try your hand at some high-performance racing courtesy of Acopia Group Ltd (C112), and Infigo (J84) in collaboration with HYBRID Software and CERM, will be bringing a friendly pub and bar to the exhibition, complete with free beer.

Joel added: "This year, we will see the number of exhibitors climb from 340 to over 400 across the four distinct zones: Packaging Innovations & Empack, Food Service, Label & Print, and Contract Pack & Fulfilment, with over 7,000 visitors expected across the two days.

"I'm biased, but if you haven't been to one of our UK shows before, I'd say this year's is unmissable. Even to someone who has been to more than their fair share of trade shows, it always offers something new and proves just how powerful the packaging sector can be when it comes together."

Elsewhere, the show's packed programme of talks is again spread across three stages, with leading voice on innovation and creative thinking, Ben Edmonds, Beer52 Founder Fraser Doherty MBE, Honest Burgers Co-Founder Tom Barton, and representatives of Amazon, Danone, Ocado Retail Ltd, Pizza Express, smol, Abel & Cole, Tesco, Waitrose, and DHL making up a stellar speaking line-up.

Hosted by the BCMPA, the Contract Pack & Fulfilment Zone is laser-focused on connecting you with the outsourcing partners you need to support your business goals, the Foodservice Packaging Zone is all about promoting inspiring collaborations between foodservice packaging specialists and brands, while the Empack area focuses on packaging and logistics technology.

"If you've attended or exhibited in previous years, you'll know why the show has such a strong reputation," added Joel. "When you bring together all the biggest names in the world of packaging and D2C brands under one roof, magic happens. Whether it's a new material supplier, an innovative pack format, a new contact while networking, or just a spark of inspiration ignited in a debate, everyone leaves Packaging Innovations with something they can use to grow their business."

If you've never experienced the show before, there's no better time to jump in than 2024. Complimentary visitor passes will remain available throughout the event; you can register by clicking here.