Packaging Fairs: The Most Important Events of 2022

With over 1,000 events per year involving 200,000 exhibitors and attracting more than 1 million visitors, the trade show sector in Italy generates a turnover between 60 and 80 billion euros. These figures are reported by the Italian Exhibition and Fair Association (AEFI) to highlight how essential this sector is for the economy. After a year and a half of forced stoppage due to the pandemic, trade events restarted in 2021, including packaging trade shows.

These appointments, indispensable for industry companies, allow the presentation of new products, contact with the market, building relationships, and expanding the network in Italy and abroad. We have compiled some national and international trade shows not to be missed by companies involved in packaging.

All that remains is to take paper, pen, and the calendar to plan the upcoming months, finally in person and with hope that the crisis is reaching its conclusion.

Packaging trade shows: the main events of 2022

Packaging trade shows: the main events of 2021 and 2022 saw 88 international and 93 national trade shows canceled. This halt forced all organizations and companies to reorganize schedules and partly their activities.

Many organizations chose to experiment with new ways to continue trade show activities to maintain contact with exhibitors. Online formats were among the most explored; however, the nature of trade shows makes presence and face-to-face meetings essential to ensure full success. Therefore, many appointments were canceled pending clear and safe rules for reopening.

In Italy, in-person trade shows have been allowed since June 15, 2021, and from July 1, congress activities and conferences could resume, provided the region organizing them is classified as white or yellow zone.

From there, the planning and execution of events throughout Italy restarted, along with scheduling for 2022.

Here are the main packaging sector trade shows or those potentially interesting to companies involved in packaging design and manufacturing in Italy:

• B/Open in Verona on November 9 and 10. This B2B fair is dedicated to the entire organic supply chain, a sector featuring numerous exhibitors and companies working on innovation in materials and packaging.
• MarcabyBolognafiere, held in Bologna on January 19 and 20, 2022. An exhibition dedicated to private label products, including a section entirely devoted to packaging: MarcaTech.
• Cosmoprof Worldwide presents its 53rd edition from March 10 to 14, 2022, in Bologna. The Bologna fair returns in person, with a new format, as an international leader in cosmetics and professional beauty, with a dedicated area increasingly focused on packaging.
• IPACK-IMA, in Milan from May 3 to 6, 2022. After postponement, the dates were set for this major international trade show specializing in materials and technologies for processing and packaging.
• Packaging Première Collection, from October 24 to 26 in Milan Fair. This event is dedicated to luxury packaging and is an exclusive appointment for industry professionals.
• Simei, also in Milan, from November 15 to 18, 2022, will host the machine fair for oenology and bottling, with particular focus on packaging aspects and innovations.
• Ecomondo in Rimini, autumn 2022. This year’s edition of the major event dedicated to the circular economy and ecological transition has just concluded. Dates for next year will be announced soon!
• Cibus Tec in Parma from October 24 to 27, 2023. Looking ahead to the following year for an international event that has built its reputation in processing and packaging sectors for vegetables, fruit, milk, and derived products.

International appointments not to miss

Major international packaging trade shows abroad also resumed in 2021. To help plan business trips, always following the Covid-19 anti-contagion regulations in force at the time of the event, we highlight some overseas trade fairs held in Europe and outside the EU:

Here are some events:

• Gulfood in Dubai from February 13 to 17, 2022;
• Alimentaria in Barcelona from April 4 to 7, 2022;
• LuxePack in Shanghai in July 2022;
• All4Pack in Paris from November 21 to 24, 2022;
• Pack Expo International in Chicago from November 23 to 26, 2022;
• Interpack in Dusseldorf from March 4 to 10, 2023.

In-person trade shows: what are the rules?

Trade shows in Italy can again be held in person from June 2021 onward but must follow specific rules and protocols. They are permitted only if the region hosting the event is classified as yellow or white zone.

Access to venues is only allowed for individuals holding the Green Covid-19 Certification ("Green pass") or an equivalent certificate recognized by law. Both visitors and operators are subject to verification of requirements at entry, alongside temperature checks: anyone with a temperature exceeding 37.5 °C will not be allowed into the trade show premises.

Inside trade shows, it is also mandatory to wear a face mask and maintain interpersonal distance, thereby avoiding excessive gatherings or risky situations.

Exhibiting at trade shows: have you already chosen your giveaway?

If you are preparing to exhibit at one of the upcoming packaging trade shows, you probably already have ideas regarding promotional gifts for visitors and industry professionals. Beyond traditional business cards, useful objects such as USB drives, Bluetooth headphones, pen holders, office accessories, water bottles, and more are increasingly common. All of these, naturally, customized with your company’s colors and logo.

Perhaps you haven’t yet considered the idea of customizing the packaging itself or choosing fabric bags to package and deliver these giveaways. They can be made from various materials—cotton, linen, velvet—and made unique through printing or embroidery.

The natural cotton canvas tote bag can simultaneously serve as packaging for your giveaways and as a promotional vehicle, as visitors will carry it around the trade show. But have you ever thought of a fabric backpack?

Here is an example in eco-friendly natural cotton with two cords, which can be worn on the back or over the shoulder:

At Sacchetti di Tessuto, we can offer you many already appreciated solutions or collaborate to choose all the details for packaging that best enhances your packaging company’s products.

Browse our catalog to find many ideas, materials, colors, and solutions we can customize for you!