The right package
March 1st 2007 The UK's largest exhibition for processing and packaging, Total Processing & Packaging 2007, is planning a number of initiatives to help visitors make the most of their time at the show. A key focus is to help match visitors with relevant exhibitors, while a series of seminars for the pharmaceutical and pack design sectors will provide information and debate on the very latest topics concerning these industries
Pre-show research has revealed that there is likely to be a strong buying culture among visitors, with 60% indicating that they intend to make a capital investment within the next 12 months. Areas of concern include sustainability, maximising efficiency and seeking longer-term solutions that will help to future proof their operations. Seeing the latest innovations is another key reason for visiting.
Currently Total has over 800 exhibitors from over 30 countries. To enable visitors to seek out potential suppliers and contacts before making their journey to the NEC, the exhibition website (www.totalexhibition.com) allows them to indicate all products and services in which they are interested and then compiles a list of exhibitors fitting the specified criteria, with links to each company's listing. A Personal Show Plan is also prepared and emailed to each preregistered visitor, providing the locations of all the stands they wish to visit.
This high level of visitor support is continued at the show itself. For machinery and equipment buyers, the PPMA is providing a consultancy service to help companies find the right supplier to meet their specific requirements.
With networking, making new contacts and catching up with old friends another reason for visiting Total, the Pakex Bar will provide a focal meeting point that will also be a showcase of the very best achievements of the UK packaging industry over the past 50 years.
The pharmaceutical sector will be showcased in a series of seminars held under the Interphex banner, while the latest developments in pack design and materials will be highlighted at the Packaging Innovation Show. A full seminar programme organised by IOP: The Packaging Society will take place as part of this feature, with topics covering the needs of brand owners, packaging suppliers, packaging designers, retailers and consumers. Companies taking part in the programme include Unilever, Marks & Spencer, PI3, RPC and Molins ITCM. The Design Challenge, supported by Design Week, has teamed leading design agencies and packaging manufacturers to work together to develop an innovative solution for a specific creative brief. The results of these collaborations will be on display at the exhibition.
"We want to ensure that time spent visiting Total Processing & Packaging is time well spent," explains exhibition director Ian Crawford. "From the preplanning of the website to the variety of features at the show itself, our aim has been to help visitors maximise their time at the exhibition, ensuring they can find the information they need and the companies and individuals they want to see. By helping to bring informed prospects to exhibitor stands, we will be creating the right environment for companies to do business." More articles from Reed Exhibitions Co Ltd: | 
