The UK Corrugated & Print Show 2019, co-hosted by UK Sheet Plant Association (SPA) and FESPA UK took place at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool (ECL) from 24-25 June. Over 500 visitors attended the show which brought together exhibitors and visitors from the corrugated packaging and digital print industries. This was the first event of its kind to be held in the UK, which is set to be run bi-annually from now on.
The two-day event kicked off with a Digital Discussion Panel, chaired by Dan Brunton of Brunton Business Publications and made up of experts from Swanline Group, Cepac, Smurfit Kappa and Durst. This was followed by a Corrugated Economic Report from NOA PRISM and a North American Perspective on Trends, Opportunities and Alliances from two special guest speakers from the AICC. Day two saw Tweetminster deliver an informative and somewhat amusing update on UK Public Affairs, which was followed by a topical trio of presentations focussed on “A Sustainable Future for Print & Packaging” with presentations from A Plastic Planet, ReelBrands and FSC. The show agenda was top and tailed with presentations from the main sponsors of the event, Swanline Group and Onboard Corrugated Ltd and offered attendees plenty of opportunity to network with peers, suppliers and potential customers.
Charity dinner
Over 200 people attended Monday night’s Gala Dinner in the ECL, preceded by pre-dinner drinks overlooking The Mersey. During dinner, the SPA awarded Swanline Group the Gold Supplier of the Year 2018 (as chosen by its members), with CorrBoard UK claiming Silver and Contact Originators picking up Bronze. A Charity Auction raised £13,279 for two worthy charities — Mind and Bluebell Wood Children’s hospice.
Swanline Group – voted SPA Gold Supplier of the Year 2018
Tim Gray, Chairman of SPA, commenting on the event said, “It was good to collaborate on this event with FESPA UK as their members brought a more Print orientated theme to the Show. Also FESPA UK’s experience of putting on events, together with their enthusiasm and professionalism meant there was less ‘heavy lifting’ in organising and hosting the Show. I was delighted with the support from exhibitors, some had gone to great lengths to create imaginative and eye catching stands, which is very reassuring, as we host the Show predominantly for their benefit.”
Gray concluded, “Having spoken with most exhibitors over the two days, they liked the venue and felt that the Show was stimulating interest and generating sales enquiries. We are in the process of contacting each exhibitor for valuable feedback on the event and we shall endeavour to ‘quantify’ the business potential that the Show has generated.”
For more information on the UK Corrugated and Print Show, including a full list of exhibitors and speakers, please visit this website.
