Luxe Pack returned to New York from 21-22 May this year promising to be both bigger and better. SPC was among the exhibitors there to welcome a record crowd
The sixth edition of luxury packaging trade exhibition Luxe Pack New York attracted 2,009 visitors, an increase of 13% on last year. For the first time, the show expanded to encompass both the Metropolitan Pavilion, where the event has been held since its launch in 2003, as well as the adjoining Altman Building, making space (up 13,200sq ft to 40,000sq ft) for 113 luxury packaging exhibitors and an educational lounge focusing on areas such as sustainable packaging.
“We’re very pleased with the new additions to Luxe Pack New York 2008. The expansion, additional seminars and special exhibits were received very well by exhibitors and visitors alike,” said Nathalie Grosdidier, executive director of the show. “We achieved our goal of maintaining Luxe Pack New York’s spirit of intimacy while accommodating more luxury manufacturers and supporting the evolution of the show.”
Organisers and exhibitors were also delighted with the quality of visitors, which included representatives from Abercrombie & Fitch, Boots Retail USA, Diane Von Furstenberg, Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder Companies, Frédéric Fekkai, LVMH, L’Oréal, Parlux, Procter & Gamble, Puig Beauty, Shiseido, Smashbox, Tocca Beauty, Victoria Secret Beauty and Zirh Holdings, among many other leading names.
SEMINARS & EVENTS
In addition to discovering the newest in luxury packaging from exhibitors, visitors were invited to attend an array of seminars and special exhibits. All the seminars attracted large crowds. Speakers included Dr G Clotaire Rapaille, chairman of Archetype Discoveries Worldwide and best selling author of The Culture Code and 7 Secrets of Marketing in a Multi-Cultural World, who discussed the paradigm shift in the luxury market and the reptilian brain in the show’s keynote presentation. Addressing a standing room only crowd, Andrew H Dent, vp library & materials research, Material ConneXion, a leading platform for innovative materials and processes, discussed sustainability and luxury packaging. Sustainability is a popular topic these days, and was also addressed in a panel discussion entitled Basta! Does Luxury have to mean Excess? and one looking at the latest sustainable packaging and processing. Other topics included cross cultural branding and how international and vertical markets influence beauty packaging.
Luxe Pack New York also presented the Material ConneXion Lounge, a knowledge base for information about new and innovative materials. The innovative lounge area was designed to explore materials and technologies relevant to the issue of sustainability – from recycling to dematerialisation and energy efficiency to renewable resources. The lounge contained furniture and furnishings that contribute to a more sustainable environment as well as material samples and information that can be applied to any industry.
Luxe Pack will return to New York in May 2009. Meanwhile the original Luxe Pack Monaco, founded in 1988, will open its doors from 28-31 October 2008 and the newer sister show Luxe Pack Shanghai returns from 17-18 March 2008.