"Anyone who wasn't there missed out" was the unanimous tenor of exhibitors at the close of FACHPACK on 30 September 2021. For three days, the trade fair for packaging, technology and processes was a firework display of innovation and inspiration for the packaging industry.
And the joy of personal encounters with customers and business partners could be felt everywhere in the trade fair halls. Pure goosebump atmosphere! Around 24,000 trade visitors took the opportunity to find answers to their specific packaging questions at 788 exhibitors from 33 countries. Every third trade visitor travelled to Nuremberg from abroad. Admission to the fair at the entrances with e-ticket and 3G proof was uncomplicated and fast. The hygiene concept was effective; the relevant regulations were observed by exhibitors and visitors.
Hustle and bustle in the aisles, hustle and bustle at the exhibition stands. Wandering through the exhibition halls and talking to exhibitors, one could pick up phrases such as: "The investment has definitely paid off!", "We are glad that we did not shy away from the risk" or "The optimists among the exhibitors have been rewarded". The supporting programme was also very popular. Around 9,500 spectators followed the 101 specialist presentations in the PACKBOX, TECHBOX and INNOVATIONSBOX forums. Anyone who missed a presentation at the fair can still watch it until the end of the year on the digital tool myFACHPACK.
Specialist range and internationality
FACHPACK offered a comprehensive range of products along the packaging process chain: starting with packaging materials and packaging machines, through packaging printing and finishing, to logistics systems and services. 41 percent of the exhibitors and about one in three visitors came from abroad, primarily from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Poland, France and Belgium.
Visitors value FACHPACK as a working trade fair
"Exhausted, but blissful!" is how Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions, NürnbergMesse, could describe her state of mind shortly before the exhibition gates closed. Many people at the fair felt the same way. No one knew beforehand how it would turn out and how many visitors would actually come to Nuremberg in this extraordinary year marked by the pandemic. The fact that there were so many in the end surprised not only the exhibitors but also the fair organisers. And it shows: despite all the digital possibilities, there's no substitute for a live event. "What visitors particularly appreciate about FACHPACK are the fruitful discussions with exhibitors, in which ideas are generated for solutions to their packaging problems," knows Phillip Blass, Director FACHPACK, NürnbergMesse. "FACHPACK is simply a real working exhibition - and that's what makes it so special."
Trade visitors: 90 per cent take part in purchasing decisions
Exhibitors particularly praised the high quality of the trade audience. The results of a visitor survey conducted by an independent institute confirm this: around 90 percent of the trade visitors stated that they were involved in purchasing and procurement decisions of their company. Around two thirds of the trade visitors have a managerial position, more than one in five is in the management. The visitors came primarily from the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical, cosmetics, chemical, electronics and automotive industries.
New guiding theme for FACHPACK 2022: "Transition in packaging".
FACHPACK sees itself as a signpost and would like to offer the industry orientation. The new guiding theme for 2022 is therefore dedicated to the strong currents currently impacting the packaging industry. Not only legislators but also consumers are demanding sustainability - and this is changing the industry profoundly. Topics such as the circular economy, digitalisation and e-commerce are following suit. COVID 19 has brought product protection under hygiene aspects into focus. And it has also made areas such as online shopping and home deliveries grow even more. What kind of shopping behaviour will consumers show in the future? All these topics are not only a task for the packaging industry, they also offer a great opportunity for change.
Make a note of the date: The next FACHPACK will be held in rotation from 27 to 29 September 2022 at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg.
www.fachpack.de
