Innovation will take centre stage at Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging London 2016 with two show features, The Dieline Conference and The Great Innovation Debate, at Olympia London on 14 &15 September.

The Dieline conference will explore a mix of packaging and branding topics, with panels and discussions from both leading and emerging brands, as well as packaging suppliers and design agencies, addressing the question: ‘How can you turn design challenges into opportunities?’

Coca-Cola, The Hershey Company, DBA, Pearlfisher Elmwood and Wagamama, will be among the global brands sharing their expertise, latest case studies and recommendations. Running thought-out Packaging Innovations, this exclusive conference is free-to-attend and the first ever to be hosted outside the US.

Gerry Sherwood, Event Director for the Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, comments: ““This high-level series of sessions really is a don’t miss event -  collaborating with some of the greatest minds and most talented professionals in the design industry, featuring best practices and case studies - which will undoubtedly take your branding expertise to the next level.” 

In addition to The Dieline Conference, the show will also host The Great Innovation Debate, an interactive discussion, examining innovation in all its forms. It will see a series of household names from the industry join the panel to voice their own opinions, and field questions from the audience.   

Taking place on day one of the show at 11:30, this year’s panel includes: Phil Huggett, Packaging Manager at Wilko; Laura Perryman, Colour, Materials, Design & Trends Forecasting Expert; and Leo Bianchi, Head of Packaging at Burton’s Biscuits; and chairing the debate will be Stefan Casey, Business Innovation Manager for Retail, Food & Drink at The Retail Institute. 

The panel will discuss all things innovation, challenging each other on the notions of ‘Innovation is not boring’, that we see more ‘more evolution than revolution’, and how to best strive for innovation in the packaging industry. New to this year’s debate will be the introduction of a ‘Room 101’ style feature, where each panellist will argue for or against certain packaging innovations.

Casey comments: “I am thrilled to be back chairing The Great Innovation Debate, after its hugely successful launch at last year’s show. We have a phenomenal panel on board, ready to dive into the debate and unleash their thoughts and personal experiences. With decades of experience this group of packaging experts has been handpicked to not only be knowledgeable, but also disruptive, challenging the audience’s preconceptions on the term innovation.

“For me innovation should be the beating heart of every organisation, and for those organisations proactive enough to imbed it into their culture, it will inspire its people from all areas of the business to become entrepreneurial innovators.”

The show will also play host to over 170 leading suppliers, with 60 per cent launching new products or services to the UK market. For example, BDMO Bruggeman & Desouter will debut Table Box, a functional and aesthetic box that folds out to form a mini desert table.  Shredhouse will be launching its shredded packaging made from recycled coffee cup paper, whilst Workflowz, in partnership with Creative Edge Software, will present its new iC3D packaging design software, featuring improved 3D visualisation technologies and photorealism for a streamlined packaging design cycle.

For further information, visit http://www.easyfairs.com/PI-LONDON or contact +44 (0)20 8843 8800.