Leading brands, such as Chivas Brothers and L’Oreal, are joined by the likes of Brompton Bicycle, Sun Branding and WRAP, to deliver an essential update for the future at the UK’s leading luxury, beauty, drinks and FMCG event.

The all-important presenters to participate at London Packaging Week 2024 are confirmed, with leading names from across the value chain to deliver informative and strategic insights to define the future of brands and their packaging.

Organised by Easyfairs, London Packaging Week 2024 takes place 11 & 12 September at the ExCeL. Spread across both days of the two-day event, this year’s speaker programme features a veritable who’s who of presenters to address specific topics impacting the luxury, beauty, drinks, food and consumer packaging markets. Taking in top-level topics, from the growing role of artificial intelligence and sustainability and the environment, to connected packaging applications and practical lessons in design and structural engineering, there’s something for everyone.

Particular sessions of note are:

Designing conscious and sustainable packaging, as presented by 7 Beauty Company’s global design lead Aaron Butler and global sustainable packaging manager Steve Owen.

L’Oreal’s sustainability director, Barbara Columbo, on meeting the expectations of eco-conscious consumers.

Gunna Drinks founder Melvin Jay presenting the UK’s first aluminium bottled soft drinks, combining strong sustainability credentials with the brand’s wellness proposition, so aligning the biggest consumer demands in the soft drinks industry.

A panel discussing the balance of premiumisation with recyclability, with input from the Wine and Spirits Trade Association, When in Rome, Ridgeview Wine Estate, Copper Rivet Distillery and MDCV.

JDO Global founder Paul Drake and Raphaël Jouve, global head of product range and innovation for The Glenlivet at Chivas Brothers, jointly outlining the use of local and cultural elements in packaging to establish deep connections with consumers.

Brompton Bicycle managing director William Butler-Adams OBE addressing the company’s full suite of sustainability-made bike products that have been built up over a 50-year sustainability journey, and detailing how such lessons can help to drive environmental transformation in the packaging industry.

WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb on the Courtauld Commitment, a voluntary agreement enabling collaborative action across the entire UK food chain to deliver farm-to-fork reductions in food waste, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water stress.

Experts sharing their predictions and future forecasts, such as on what luxury brands are and must do to attract customers to their high-end goods, from eradicating plastics and providing personalised/customised experiences, to being eCommerce-ready and the greater use of social media.

Others already confirmed to speak include: Amy Nelson-Bennett, CEO at Positive Luxury; Tiago Russo, chief design officer for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co; When in Rome CEO and co-founder, Robert Malin; Andy Johnson, commercial director at Sun Branding; Difference Coffee founder Amir Gehl; and Alyssa Auberger, Baker McKenzie’s chief sustainability officer.

“The topics and sessions to be addressed at this year’s London Packaging Week illustrate the depth and breadth of the challenges – and opportunities –­ that the packaging industry is facing,” said James Montero MacColl, senior marketing manager at Easyfairs. “The speakers we’ve assembled are perfectly positioned to provide the answers and solutions to these, and more.

“By attending London Packaging Week 2024 and participating in our stacked programme, the luxury, beauty, drinks and FMCG markets can educate themselves and create a future ripe with opportunities.”

The final must-attend sessions and insightful speakers are being added to the London Packaging Week 2024 programme, with the full schedule to be revealed shortly.

Taking place 11 & 12 September 2024 at ExCeL, London Packaging Week brings together four focused events ­– Packaging Première, PCD, PLD and Food & Consumer Pack – that connect the world’s top luxury, beauty, drinks and FMCG groups with the packaging suppliers, materials and inspiration that will define the future of their brands.

The four events offer brand teams an unrivalled and focused forum to source the latest packaging solutions, meet new suppliers and solve their biggest innovation challenges.

Alongside the expertly curated speaker line-up, engaging exhibition of 170+ companies and high-value networking opportunities, London Packaging Week hosts its inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards in 2024. These awards have been introduced to inspire and celebrate forward-thinking and innovative developments in the supply chain. Moreover, they aim to encourage advances in sustainability and performance across the following categories: Premium & Luxury Drinks, Beauty Cosmetics & Perfume, Food Beverages & Personal Care, and Fashion Accessories & Jewelry. The first submission deadline for the inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards is Friday, May 17.