As the first major PPMA live event since September 2019, following the postponement of all live events in 2020 and early 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, exhibitors and visitors are getting ready to do face-to-face business at the 2021 PPMA show, which returns to the NEC Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, from September 28 to 30.
With a focus on supporting the processing and packaging communities with sustained business recovery following the last year’s challenges, PPMA Show 2021 will bring together over 250 exhibiting companies, offering businesses a long-overdue opportunity to see emerging technologies and explore the latest trends in the industry.
Recent research conducted among PPMA’ audiences reveals a strong appetite for the live event, with 70% of respondents seeing trade shows as an essential platform for reviewing and making future product purchases.
Leading exhibitors at the show include Winkworth, Ulma, Evolution Bottling and Packaging, Mettler-Toledo, Ilpra, Holmach, Stellar-Technik and Endoline.
Richard Little, Show Director of PPMA Show 2021, commented: “Although online platforms help people to gather information about products, our research shows that visitors want to move on from virtual product launches and events to get closer to the technology hands-on and to speak face-to-face with product and application experts. The appetite for investment is definitely there, as well as the enthusiasm to resume business as usual. We’re setting out to support our community’s business recovery.”
Renowned by the industry as a platform for launching new products, the 2021 show will be no exception, with multiple exhibitors announcing plans ahead of the show, including AVE UK, Brillopak, Carlo Gavazzi, Clearmark, Fortress Technology, ifm and OMRON.
COVID precautions
At the event, participants can rely on all the necessary health and safety precautions relating to COVID and, to reassure visitors with regards to cleanliness and safety, the NEC has introduced advanced cleaning measures and hand sanitising stations are located at all entrances of the NEC and at numerous locations around the venue. Physical touchpoints will be reduced throughout the show, and there is also ample outdoor space at the NEC for visitors wanting to get some fresh air and to take a break from the exhibition floor during their visit.
There will, of course, be differences in the way the 2021 event runs compared to previous years. For example, on-site catering provisions have been modified, and we’re also advising visitors travelling to the show to limit what they bring. Pre-registration will be compulsory for all this year, and visitors should follow the latest local guidance at the time of the show regarding face masks, isolating and symptoms to ensure the safety of themselves and others in attendance.
Registration for the PPMA Show 2021 is now open, and free visitors’ badges can be requested via the event website.
