The 11th edition of Label Summit Latin America drew its highest ever number of attendees as it concluded in Medellin last week. 747 senior level delegates including label and package printers and brand owners joined together to analyze the application of best practices and new technologies to accelerate business opportunities and economic development across the Andean region.

Held in Colombia for the first time, the two-day event which featured a packed conference program, table-top exhibition and networking function, is the largest gathering for the label and package printing industry in Latin America. Delegates came from right across the continent with attendees from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Over 50 leading industry suppliers exhibited with companies including Arclad, Avery Dennison, EFI, Flint Group, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, Omet, Prati, RotoMetrics, Sun Chemical, UPM Raflatac and Xeikon.

The event’s mood was upbeat as delegates gave an enthusiastic response to the conference schedule’s content. Highlights included the keynote presentation by Don Nolan, president, materials group, Avery Dennison as well as Maria Alexandra Gruesso Sanchez of ANDIGRAF, who provided an in-depth analysis of the Andean region’s label industry and how printers can better harness partnership opportunities to easily benefit from serving foreign markets such as the US. She was followed by Aldo González of Acrus-CCL Label, who shared his personal experience and insight of how businesses can successfully grow and prosper through mergers and acquisitions.

Day one’s Andean printer panel discussion was also well received with panelists including Fredy Alberto Gallón of Colombian-based Servibarras, Jaime Yoshiyama of Peru’s Kuresa, ETIFLEXO’s Kevin Blanco from Venezuela, Bolivian-based Juan Carlos Zamorano Somoza of Flexo Print and Francisco Arias of Ecuador’s Sismode. As some of the top level printers in South America, they readily shared their knowledge with the audience as they covered topics such as regional variations and investing in and applying new technologies for future gain.

The second day’s focus on brand development, product design and placement as well as new technologies was underscored with the same level of high interest. Tony Estrada of Constantia Spear kicked off proceedings with a practical and hands-on look at pressure sensitive label growth and trends in the beverage industry as he engaged the audience with real life examples. Powerful Yogurt’s Sarah Goldthwait followed his lead with a comprehensive look at how to develop innovative product packaging to maximize brand enhancement right through from the initial design being laid out to the finished product being on the supermarket shelf.

Other standout sessions included Dr Henry Castillo from NeuroMind who delved into the application of ‘neuromarketing’ on the design of labels and packaging. Castillo demonstrated the power of design on consumer decisions, how effective product design can influence perception of quality and how neuroscience can be the master key to entering the mind of the consumer. Sun Chemical’s Alfonso Paredes also struck a chord with his overview of brand protection with a comprehensive examination of security inks and coatings and instant verification and authentication technologies using mobile technology.

Tasha Ventimiglia, event director for Label Summit Latin America, said: “This has been the biggest ever attendance a summit has experienced that Labelexpo has organized! We see in Colombia and Latin America as a whole, a promising future and clear business roadmap which offers extensive opportunities for future business growth and the forging of strong business relationships on a global scale. Label Summit Latin America 2014 has been a fantastic way to showcase to regional and international label industry professionals that Colombia, which is one of continent’s fastest growing economies, offers vast commercial opportunities which cannot be ignored.”

Quotes from exhibitors and speakers:

Cindy Dunfee, acpo: “Being a new venue for Label Summit Latin America, we were not sure of what to expect, but must admit that the show was very successful and exceeded any expectations that we had. The show floor appeared to be busy from start to finish allowing us to not only spend time with our customers and show our product line to prospective customers, but to also create some very positive networking amongst the other exhibitors. Excellent choice adding Colombia as a new location for Label Summit Latin America and we look forward to returning!”

Aldo González, Acrus-CCL Label: “I was very surprised about the immense interest of the audience about M&A subjects, more than seven managers/directors asked me for private meetings to cover some topics in more detail. As usual the specialized networking that happens at a Label Summit is unique.”

Chris Walker, Armor USA: “Medellin, Colombia proved to be an excellent choice for Label Summit Latin America 2014, giving Armor the opportunity to meet many customers, prospects and manufacturers and be present in one of Latin America’s fastest emerging economies. With visitors from all countries in Latin America and Miami, Label Summit Latin America was the perfect opportunity to showcase our new products and discuss market developments.”

Fabian Silva, Baumgarten: “It was a pleasure to collaborate in Label Summit Latin America 2014 with such a great team, it was impressive attendance at this event. In the last four years I never seen such a full event.”

Jazmin Cordero, Harper Corporation of America: “Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America was happy to report a successful Label Summit Latin America with record attendance. Many label printers from all over Latin America stopped by Harper’s booth to learn about the company’s latest products and developments such as the QD™ Ink Proofing system and Harper’s XLT™ anilox engraving technologies.”

Kaven Wang, Jiaozuo Zhuorim Digital Material Co: “It was awesome at Label Summit Latin America in Medellin this year. At least 70 important customers visited us and we have strong communications about cooperation and partnerships in the near future. By giving a sales and after-sales service, we are known by more and more foreign customers; as a partner of FEDEX, samples and goods are easier to ship to customers who want goods delivered urgently! We look forward to Labelexpo Americas in September 2014!”

Martin Esteban Fraire Cambiasso, Leftech Group: “We had very important feedback from the visitors to Label Summit Latin America, our table-top exhibition was always busy showing the water process of our water washable test and many converters did not even know about this cleaner, faster and better technology available for processing plates. The printer panel, where three of five speakers are actually users of our technology was a very nice support for our promotion and convinced many people is the right way upfront for processing the plates more environmentally friendly and also much faster than the solvent alternatives. We had so many good responses with the projects to do in the short term we are already short of equipment in Colombia to follow all the interested converters.”

John Vigna, Mark Andy: “The first installment of Label Summit Latin America in Colombia proved that level of interest and growth within the Andean region is definitely something the industry should take seriously. We were extremely delighted and impressed by the converter turnout and will definitely participate the next time the show is in Colombia.”

Jaime Dagnin, MPS: “MPS Latin America Inc. was pleased to participate at the latest edition of Label Summit Latin America. Jaime Dagnino Jr. along with newly appointed sales representative John Jairo Villalobos from ProFlexo Andina welcomed many visitors from Colombia and the Andean region to the MPS stand. The Summit provided MPS an excellent opportunity to present our range of UV flexo and offset printing presses to delegates in Latin America, and to explain how we can share our industry expertise and world-class service to enhance their printing processes. As a result of the conference, we have a number of new exciting projects well-suited to the high quality brand of MPS presses. We look forward to working with these new customers to determine the best MPS solution for their label printing environment.”

Jesper Joergensen, Nilpeter: “Nilpeter once again joined Label Summit Latin America – this time in Colombia. Placing the event at the heart of the Andean region was right on target. This year, surprisingly many label and packaging printers, all keen to establish new relations, attended for the first time. No doubt, the geographical location played an important part in this. The summit is a vital part of Nilpeter’s success in this important market.”

Alfonso Paredes, Sun Chemical: “The experience to have the first Label Summit in Colombia was a complete success. The printers responded to the conference and the table-top exhibition with high interest and with a lot of questions. The quality of the participants was extremely high and I enjoyed discussing several technical aspects of the label industry in Colombia. For Sun Chemical Corporation and our new Sun Chemical Colombia company, it was a real pleasure to be part of the Label Summit, We will be there for future events.”

Jason Courter, Twin Rivers Paper Company: “Meeting face-to-face with converters, OEMs and other exhibitors was an invaluable networking opportunity that will translate into new sales, future partnerships and potential co-development opportunities. Our presence at Label Summit Latin America showed our commitment to serve the Latin American market with a specialized label offering. Twin Rivers looks forward to capitalizing on this year’s connections and returning in the future to continue the momentum.”