The 2021 event had initially been due to take place on 3 and 4 March 2021 at the NEC, before organisers shifted it back to 17 and 18 June 2021 due to ongoing coronavirus-related restrictions.
The next Birmingham show has now been moved to 16 & 17 February 2022 in Hall 1 of the NEC, meaning there will be no running of the flagship event in 2021. However, the London outing of Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging is still set to take place at London’s Olympia on 22 and 23 September, after it was postponed from last December.
The 2022 event will feature insights from packaging experts on a wide range of trends and issues impacting the industry, from sustainability to the e-commerce revolution and beyond.
Packaging Innovations and sister show Empack have also launched a new digital sector-specific publication, Packaging In Focus, which brings together experts and guest contributors from across the different corners of the packaging market to discuss upcoming trends and share their experiences on the latest challenges and inspirational design ideas.
Renan Joel, divisional director for Easyfairs UK & Global’s packaging events, said: “We have been working closely with our exhibitors and key stakeholders to secure the best possible option to run the event and provide the industry with an opportunity to meet and do business this summer.
“As such we have worked tirelessly to put in place numerous safety measures to ensure we can deliver a safe event to the highest possible standards.
“However, with the government’s most recent announcement that large-scale indoor events will not be permitted until 21 June at the earliest, it has become impossible to run the June 2021 edition.”
He added: “We understand how important it still is for us as humans to connect and continue to foster key relationships face to face. We are confident that, in 2022, we will be able to bring the community back together in a more powerful way than ever.
“In the lead up to the show, Packaging Innovations and Empack will build a community around not only the live event but also a year-long experience of relevant and insightful content and collaboration by the industry and for the industry.”
