Well-known brands, key suppliers and top label and package industry stakeholders will gather for a comprehensive conference program hosted at Label Summit Latin America for its 2018 return to Guadalajara, Mexico.

Hosted 24-25 April at Expo Guadalajara, the 2018 Label Summit is the region’s largest dedicated event for the label and package printing industry.

The two-day conference program will arm visitors with the skills to improve productivity, create higher value products and retain a more robust workforce. The sessions will examine key issues and topics for the Mexican label and package printing industry and delegates will learn from innovative CEOs, a premier packaging designer, multinational and regional brands, as well as senior industry professionals.

Topics such as: attracting a skilled workforce, mergers and acquisitions, diversifying into new markets, sophisticated product decoration and design strategies are just a few of the highlights of the program schedule.

The sessions will run alongside a table-top exhibition with more than 70 label and package printing suppliers showcasing the latest products and technological advancements.

The opening keynote presentation will be presented by Isabela Monteiro from Avery Dennison. Monteiro will present information on global trends in the label and package printing industry.

The keynote address will be followed by a panel discussion on attracting skilled labor and retaining key employees. The panelists include top Mexican label converters and industry educators who will provide insight into the Mexican labor market.

In the afternoon sessions on the opening day, Juan Sebastián Estrada will discuss Ideeo 4.0, and how his business is moving from commercial printing to folding cartons and eventually labels.

A CEO converter panel discussion will close the opening day’s sessions. As Latin America’s largest region for labels and packaging, panelists will discuss trade with Mexico and overcoming national and international competition. Panelists Fernando Gómez, packaging director, Grupo Ercus; Ricardo Stone, director, Etiquetas e Impresiones de Mexico; Ángel Calderón, president, Impredimex; Gerardo Gonzalez, commercial director, Etiprint and Jorge Martínez, president, Grupo Etimex are set to take the stage the first day.

The second day’s conference begins with sessions on label decoration. First, Jos Kabouw from Grafisk Maskinfabrik and Joaquim Correia from Arconvert will present case studies of eye-catching labels produced in Latin America.

In-mold label decoration, a rapidly growing market in Latin America, will continue the day’s discussions. Alex Cruz from Yupo and his customer Cristian Reyes from MayaPack will discuss the benefits of in-mold label production, including product safety and theft prevention. MayaPack is a leading manufacturer of resealable labels in Mexico, and produces laminated lids for the food industry as well as safety labels, which has significantly minimized theft in the process.

Julie Rodgers from Avery Dennison will present on technology, trends and the future of intelligent labels, while Iban Cid of Germark will examine how label suppliers can encourage consumer interaction through ‘smart’ products.

The day continues with Hernán Braberman of Tridimage, a leading 3D branding, graphic design and structural packaging agency in Latin America. Braberman’s work as a designer takes him around the world to share his experience and knowledge with those who recognize the limitless power of design.

Capping the second day of the Label Summit will be a brand owner session, featuring elite international and regional brands. Panelists include: Mónica Medina from Nestlé; Sergio Bojalil from The Hershey Company and Humberto Ojeda, from Tequila Casa San Matías. The panelists will share insight on maximizing brand enhancement with a premium look, propelling personalization with seasonal regional and local packaging and discussing private label versus premium brands.

Label Summit show director Tasha Ventimiglia said: ‘The Label Summits bring together the best of the label and package printing industry: education, networking and a showcase of the latest products from world-class suppliers. In the end, these three things come together to give Label Summit Latin America visitors the ability to gain a competitive advantage and take back to their companies valuable market information. The summit offers delegates and exhibitors an array of opportunities to interact and build relationships with brands, key suppliers and fellow label and packaging converters and learn from the best in the industry. We’re thrilled to be back in Guadalajara for the first time since 2012.’

An early bird registration rate is valid until April 6 with a full two-day delegate pass costing USD $260/MXN 4400. Two-day supplier passes cost USD $825/ MXN 14,500. Full event passes include access to the table-top exhibition, conference sessions, lunch, networking reception and refreshments. On-site registration is possible throughout the event and full registration can be made online at http://www.labelsummit.com/mexico.