Expert speakers confirmed for the Xeikon Café Conference

Print Solutions

An integral part of the Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations 2017, set for 28 to 31 March, is the conference programme. A number of highly experienced speakers, including keynote Rafi Albo, will share valuable information about trends and technological advancements in the digital printing market. Talking from their personal experience, they will give a glimpse of what the future may hold and inspire visitors with different business insights, and new ideas.

Accommodating the wide scope and interests of the Xeikon Café attendees, the conference programme is divided into a technical and business track. The technical sessions will focus on industry related technical aspects, while the business sessions will inform attendees about key innovations in digital production of labels and packaging, and focus on business education. The conference will run daily during the Xeikon Café from 10 am till 16.30 pm (except Friday, till noon), closing each day with a ‘talk show’ where the speakers will be discussing the topics of the day.

Rafi Albo, often also called the global guru of connected one to one marketing, has been integrating printed products with online technologies for many years. Combining technologies such as augmented, virtual and mixed reality, with fresh ideas, new approaches and creativity, he creates the most innovative applications that bring a ‘wow’ effect. At the Xeikon Café, Rafi will show on stage some of the most creative work he made for brands from all over the world. Being a strong believer that print is, and will always be, sexy, he will share his ideas on how AR, VR and MR can boost demand for new print forms and thus the potential success of print businesses and brands.

‘I have been working with brand companies and printers all over the world for many years now, talking with them and learning about their needs and the challenges for their business. For brands, emotional connections and the sharing of experiences is becoming ever more important. And this creates ample opportunities for printers, when integrating new online technologies and fresh ideas. I strongly believe that combining print with online technologies is what offers real added value. I see endless application options in all areas and I have no doubt that such applications will increase, in particular on labels and packaging due to the high significance of the point of sale and the strong competition among producers,’ he said.

Running parallel with the business conference, the technical conference will focus more on the technology of the nearly 30 end to end digital applications on show at the Xeikon Café, including self-adhesive, in-mould, wet glue and wraparound labels, folding carton, flexible packaging, heat transfer, leaflets and paper cups. Close to 40 industry suppliers are combining their capabilities to show total solutions in each of the applications, from software, workflow, print media and consumables to printing, converting, and finishing. The technical conference will delve deeper into the technologies behind each of the applications.

‘The diversity of high level speakers lined up for the Xeikon Café conference will provide a range of perspectives and expertise surrounding the world of digital production that will surely inspire and educate the audience,’ commented Filip Weymans, vice president of marketing for Xeikon. ‘Each speaker is highly knowledgeable in their field, and will share personal experiences and valuable information on the latest innovations, trends, and technical novelties that will help to demystify the hype around digital production.’

The official program of the business and technical Conference will be available soon on the Xeikon café website: www.xeikoncafe.com.