Easyfairs, the events' organizing group behind ADF&PCD also operates Packaging Innovations and recently acquired the prestigious Pentawards. While the shows as well as the awards are more well-known in Europe than they are here in the US, that’s likely to change as Easyfairs puts on an increasingly dynamic and valuable US version of its packaging tradeshow each year.
Packaging Innovations
The primary and secondary packaging tradeshow known as Packaging Innovations launched in Birmingham, England, in 2006 and comprises a selection of Easyfairs events , such as Empack, Label&Print, Luxury Packaging, ADF, and PCD. “The company’s portfolio of packaging events…now covers 38 events in 19 cities across 12 countries, and attracts over 85,000 visitors each year,” according to a media release circulated by Easyfairs about the 2018 NYC event.
“We are delighted and excited to be launching Packaging Innovations in New York for 2018,” James Drake-Brockman, divisional director for Packaging Innovations in London, Birmingham, and New York, tells the press. “Since its launch in 2016, the ADF&PCD shows have been received with exceptional enthusiasm from the market in the US, so it is a natural extension…”
Pentawards
The Pentawards has, since 2007, been a “worldwide competition, devoted exclusively to packaging design in all of its forms,” according to the media release.
The awards comprise five categories: body, luxury, food, beverages, and other markets. Winners are honored with bronze, silver, gold, and platinum awards as well as a best-in-show diamond Pentaward.
This year’s competition attracted over 2,000 entries from packaging designers (both experienced and students), brand owners, and packaging manufacturers across 54 countries. And, the 2017 winners will be announced at a Pentawards gala set to take place on September 23 in Barcelona, Spain.
Places and dates
Next year, the New York City edition of the ADF&PCD shows will coincide with Packaging Innovations and the Pentawards Conference. The event program will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 5 and 6 of 2018. “This unique concept will bring together an exclusive mix of brands, design agencies, packaging manufacturers, material producers, and innovators across all market sectors to learn, network, discover, collaborate, and do business,” explains the release.
Further afield, and also in 2018, Easyfairs will host a first edition of the ADF&PCD show in Shanghai, China.