Registration for the 16th edition of Labelexpo Americas, a leading trade show for the label and package printing industry, is now open. The Expo will be held September 25-27 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. New this year: an Automation Arena.

Part of the Labelexpo Global Series since 1989, the biennial Labelexpo Americas has become the region’s major industry platform for print professionals, brand owners, label and packaging designers, and associated graphic industry suppliers. The key focus of the 2018 edition—“Explore Your Future”—will be future technology and environmental issues in the sector. The 2018 show is again strongly supported and endorsed by the trade bodies TLMI, ACOBAN, AIMCAL, AIPIA, FTA and FSEA.

Spread across five exhibitions halls, well over 400 exhibitors will be taking part over the three days, including AB Graphic, Avery Dennison, Bobst, Domino, Durst, Epson, Esko, ETI, Flint Group, Fujifilm, HP, Karlville Development, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, Omet, RotoMetrics, Screen USA and Xeikon.

Running alongside the exhibition and making its debut – and also for the first time in the Americas – is the Automation Arena, a demonstration of two automated press lines for conventional (shrink sleeve) and digital (label) production, covering job creation right through to pre-press, printing, finishing and invoicing. This is an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to experience first-hand how the future of label and package printing will evolve over the next decade.

Another key feature of Labelexpo Americas 2018 will be the TLMI Ecovillage, designed to raise awareness of environmental issues in the sector. Back for the first time since 2012, and sponsored by Convergen Fuels and Channeled Resources Group, the latest products tackling this important issue will be on display. Additionally, the waste matrix collected from the live press demonstrations over the course of the show will be brought to the TLMI Ecovillage and baled into Convergen Fuel pellets, which have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. There will also be a daily session tackling the big myths surrounding sustainable packaging and current issues of interest to converters.

The event offers a packed educational conference program with 12 sessions and three expert-led master classes run in association with the Label Academy. These will cover: 1) shrink sleeve technology, markets and applications; 2) inks, coatings and varnishes, their application in modern narrow web converting operations and legislation; and 3) management information systems (MIS) and workflow automation.

For more information and to register, visit labelexpo-americas.com.