Tarsus Group, organizer of the Labelexpo Global Series, has unveiled the speaker and topic line up for its brand new two day conference and table-top exhibition Packprint Summit Americas. Taking place between 5-6 November at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami Hotel, Miami, it is entirely focused on the North and Latin American package printing industry.

Set to attract senior level executives from across the package printing and product decoration industry, the event will provide delegates with a balanced combination of case study presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Supported by 36 US and international exhibitors including Epson America, Flint Group, Harper Corporation of America, Karville Development, Muller Martini, Stork Prints and Xeikon, the inaugural summit is also supported by gold sponsor Mark Andy and silver sponsor HP Indigo.

The keynote presentation entitled ‘new printing technologies that impact today’s short run world’ will be given by Jerry Henson, sales manager at Mark Andy. Jerry will show how new mid-web flexo technology can lower overall costs and how streamlining printing work can increase productivity and revenue while adopting new technology can set a new standard for print quality and consistency.

Featuring several panel debates, topics will include an editorial panel discussion with leading trade journalists such as Labels & Labeling’s Danielle Jerschefske, David Pittman from Packprint World, PackagePRINTING’s Tom Polischuk and Robert J Moran of FLEXO magazine who will be exploring the main challenges and current trends facing the sector. The pros and cons of digital package printing will be examined by Michael Ring from Xeikon America, HP Indigo’s Alexander Mercon and Jeffery Corley from Screen USA.

Other presentations include creating new opportunities in brand development and positioning with Sarah Goldthwait of Powerful Yogurt highlighting how to identify your target audience and create packaging that sells and transforming your business through online marketing. Evelio Mattos, creative director with Design Packaging will outline the new realities of package design with a look at global design trends in structure, materials and specialty processes through case study examples with Juicy Couture, Barneys New York and Chateau Ste Michelle Wines.

The conference program will also feature two informative case studies. The first will focus on product redesign to maximize shelf appeal. Led by Tony Estrada of Spear and Novamex it will highlight how Jarritos has used packaging improvements to preserve its brand heritage and how it has capitalized on visual appeal to create instant consumer identification. The second given by Karville’s Raul Matos and Paul Browning from Palmas Printing will cover business transformation: from prime labels to flexible packaging.

Flint Group’s John Gaber and Mike Buystedt will delve into the recent advances in UV inks for food labels and packaging and consider high performance inks for LED curing, low migration UV ink technologies for food safe packaging and EB curing as an alternative for food applications. Stan Usry from EFI Radius will study implementing an effective MIS/ERP software system to increase enterprise-wide profitability, while Highcon’s Chris Baker will address the new developments in short run finishing and compare features and benefits of in line, off-line, conventional and digital.

Aimed at printers/converters of labels, flexible packaging and cartons, brand owners, and designers, delegates will also be able to network on a private cruise around the South Florida harbour with some of the industry’s leading suppliers and experts to gain practical advice on entering the package printing market. 

Mary Sullivan, director of global marketing, Mark Andy Inc. remarks: “Mary Andy is excited to be the gold sponsor of the Packprint Summit Americas event. As converters worldwide further expand into package printing, it is important to have a forum to learn more about equipment, processes and applications to make them more productive and profitable. Mark Andy is pleased to be presenting the keynote address on Wednesday, discussing new technologies and lean practices to succeed in the package printing world.” 

Tasha Ventimiglia, event director for Packprint Summit Americas comments: “Packprint Summit Americas is an exciting new event for the package printing industry calendar. In addition to the educational value of the conference sessions, the Summit is designed to give a cutting edge insight into the North American and global package printing industry and facilitate new business connections, discussion and the sharing of best practice between delegates and exhibitors. We hope that attendees will be provided with the best possible platform on which to operate more competitively in both the domestic and global marketplace.”

Early bird rates are available until 11 October with a two day pass costing from $360. Standard rate one day passes cost $270. Delegates can register their place and book their accommodation online by visiting www.packprintsummit.com/miami.