Good to spend time in an optimistic, humming, business atmosphere. I managed to do that twice in September. In Las Vegas the USA's Pack Expo showed double digit growth in visitor numbers, exhibitors and space. In Brussels Tarsus's LabelExpo was a record breaker whichever way you looked at it.
Both seem to have winning formulae – a well defined core business. And both have grown that business by following and capitalizing on innovation and by carefully following the market.
LabelExpo Europe is by any yardstick the global meeting place of the label industry. Every press manufacturer had working machinery on their stands. But although its title is one no one would think of changing, the show is in reality a narrow web event. That's verified by the number of senior personnel from flexible packaging and sleeve converters I spotted. I'd be surprised if many were there to diversify into labels. Exhibitors also reflected the narrow web tag.
And innovations such as the RFID focus and conference chaired by the editor of Converting Today's sister publication RFID Solutions Jonathan Bailey completely reflected the innovative growth in and current needs for tracing and tracking and product security.
Doing what you do best yet growing the brand is what today's successful business is all about.
Talking of which – why don't you click onto the converting industry's most successful information website? We are also seeing double digit growth in hits to www.convertingtoday.co.uk We offer up to the minute news that is posted each day, as well as diary dates and an exceptional archive of material.
If you are not a regular visitor try looking now. I think you'll agree we've added to what we do best.
Pauline Covell