Packaging Innovations, Packtech, Ecopack and Contract Pack all took place at the Birmingham venue on 16-17 February, attracting a 5% upswing in visitors at 4,409 and a record rebooking rate at 71%.

Alongside the exhibitors, the show also included its learnShop programme of seminars, with speakers from household-name blue-chip brands such as PepsiCo and Unilever, as well as industry bodies such as Wrap and The Packaging Federation.

B&Q technical packaging advisor Kay Hedges said: "We come here to see what's going on and what’s new; we have only been here an hour or so and have already seen things we could use. This is the third year I have attended and each year we come away with new ideas."

Exhibitor Glyn Johnson, director of Yorkshire Packaging Society added: "EasyFairs does exactly what it says on the tin… it is an easy fair to do for the exhibitor in terms of cost and logistics, as well as the visitor in terms of time required to see the whole show.

"The learnShops are a great idea and I am still amazed other shows don't copy this concept."

Next year’s event is booked for 29 February and 1 March.