Pre-registration figures are apparently up 15% compared to this time last year, with the show on track to grow from attracting 5,093 visitors in 2013, to 5,500 this year.

Held 26-27 February at Birmingham’s NEC, the show has once again added a new strand. While last year saw a Labelling Innovations area added, Converting Innovations has been added for 2014. The show now features seven strands, including Contract Pack, Packtech, Ecotech, Packaging Innovations and –new in 2011- Print Innovations.

Event director Alison Church has attributed this growth to Packaging Innovations now attracting key brands. 

“We’re really attracting the main brands and retailers now and we’re consistently looking for new ways to target particular sectors- we did a big push in London on the cosmetics side for example,” she said. 

Church added that growth of the print arm of the show was also key: “The way the show’s really changed in the last two years is it’s become the main place where people from the packaging and print for packaging sector come together. People know if they’re looking to meet someone they’re going to be at the show. It’s the meeting place for the whole supply chain now.”

This year’s show will also boast more exhibitors - 350-plus up from 320. Exhibiting will be HP, with an on-stand ‘digitally printed supermarket’, Fujifilm and Esko, who will be previewing its new Automation Engine Suite 14, slated for release the second quarter of his year.

New for 2014 will be a 3D Print Feature, a plastic recycling Recoup Clinic and an Eye-Tracking Technology feature, showcasing software used to better understand consumer behavior in-store.

The show’s seminar programme will include presentations from HP, Marks & Spencer, Procter & Gamble, Iceland and ex-head of packaging design at Nestlé Lars Wallentin.

Visitors can register to visit for free at: http://www.easyfairs.com/PIUK