Programme

We welcome all YPN attendees for an informal and fun activity near the hotel (walking distance), followed by dinner.YPN attendees will receive more detailed information close to the event.

hosted by André van Straten, author of The Creative Revolution

Creativity isn’t just for designers—it’s a critical skill for problem-solving, innovation, and career growth. This interactive workshop is designed to equip young professionals with practical tools to boost their creative confidence and approach challenges in new ways.

What participants will learn:

• How to think laterally – breaking free from traditional thought patterns
• Creative problem-solving techniques – turning challenges into opportunities
• How to develop an innovative mindset – becoming adaptable and resourceful
• A step-by-step method to apply creativity in professional settings

The workshop consists of an interactive session followed by lunch. Through engaging exercises, discussions, and real-world applications, this workshop ensures that young professionals walk away not just inspired but equipped with tools to enhance their careers and add creative value to their organizations.

REGISTER NOW (separate from ELF registration)

This workshop is sponsored by delfort.

Philippe Voet, FINAT President opens the conference and introduces FINAT’s conference moderator Bert van Loon.

The short-term outlook may seem stable, but uncertainty is brewing beneath the surface. The war in Ukraine rages on, energy and commodity prices are soaring, and Europe’s economic recovery remains fragile. Germany’s economy is shrinking, France faces political turmoil, and post-Brexit Britain is still struggling to find its footing. Meanwhile, polarization is spilling over into governments in the Netherlands and Belgium. At the same time, European competitiveness is at stake. China is flooding global markets, the U.S. is shaking up trade and geopolitics, and protectionism is making a comeback. How do we navigate this storm? What does it mean for our economy, our businesses, and our future?

By popular demand, FINAT has invited back Ron Keller, former Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and China, former Director at the Eastern Europe Bank (EBRD) and top advisor to the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and to the Dutch Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs back to share his views, two years after talk at the ELF in Vienna in 2023.

Opportunity to refresh, (re-)connect with industry peers and visit premium suppliers represented in the lobby expo area.

Jules Lejeune, Managing Director of FINAT, will present the key findings of the FINAT label materials statistics in the context of the general economic environment.

Anum Javed Beg, label market analyst at AWA Alexander Watson Associates, and Corey Reardon, CEO at AWA Alexander Watson Associates will present highlights from the latest FINAT RADAR reports and the changing label industry landscape in Europe.

Linda Lichtmess, Strategic Market Analyst Food & Drinks at Euromonitor (D) will present the latest insights on consumer behaviour. What are shoppers expecting from brands and retailers? How is the latter meeting these and what does this entail for labels and packaging suppliers? Five new trends are reshaping retail this year.

Paul Jenkins is the founder of ThePackHub, a community hub designed to empower businesses with the knowledge, tools, and innovative strategies. On average, each week some 30 innovations are posted on the platform. From this reference base, Paul will share best practices, insights and inspiration on (unfulfilled) opportunities in labels and packaging innovations.

To conclude this session, a panel of renowned industry leaders will reflect on the key business topics and challenges for our industry. Panelists to be confirmed soon.

With the adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in 2024, the European packaging industry is entering a new era of sustainability. But where do we stand a year later? What’s the roadmap for key delegated acts like Design for Recycling, and how are industry associations driving circularity on a sector-wide scale?

As shifting political priorities challenge the EU’s sustainability agenda, this session brings together leading experts to discuss the evolving regulatory landscape, industry initiatives, and the future of sustainable packaging.

Featuring insights from:

"Sustainability is no longer just about compliance—it’s reshaping innovation, agility, and supply chains", says Thomas Reiner, CEO of Berndt & Partner Group. In Vienna, he highlighted how this shift is now reaching smaller players, redefining the industry landscape. Is our supply chain ready for a faster speed to market? With late-stage customization as a strength of the label industry, aligning sustainability with agility and digital transformation is the next big challenge.

Join Thomas Reiner as he unpacks these trends and their impact on business strategy, innovation, and competitiveness. As a member of the FINAT Sustainability Awards jury, he will include insights from the 2024 competition:

• Breakthroughs in adhesives, coatings, metallization & printing inks
• Advances in recycling & material optimization
• Smart sustainability strategies from industry frontrunners

A Look Under the Hood of AI-Powered Innovation
Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize manufacturing in the next 1-2 years. Join Bram Verhoef, Co-founder and Director of Customer Success at Axelera AI, as he unveils the latest advancements in AI hardware and software platforms designed to accelerate computer vision on edge devices.

Through real-world examples, learn how AI is transforming production lines, enhancing efficiency, and driving innovation in manufacturing. Don't miss this opportunity to look under the hood of AI and explore the technology roadmap that will shape the industry's future.

The lines between narrow-web and wide-web printing are blurring. Label printers are expanding their technology mix, while brand owners increasingly single-source different packaging types. As run lengths shrink and the break-even point between digital and conventional drops, the industry is at a crossroads.

• Will wide-web players embrace narrow-web’s agility?
• Will narrow-web printers move into the mid-web overlap zone?
• How will Design for Recycling (DfR) and sustainability impact these shifts?

Industry expert Jörg Schönwald (Schönwald Consulting, D) will explore these critical trends from both the machine and customer perspective, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of flexible packaging!

A panel of recognised experts on the subject will reflect on the findings presented by Mr. Schönwald.

Creativity is the ultimate business advantage. In an industry driven by automation and efficiency, creative thinking is what sets you apart. In this inspiring and practical keynote, André van Straten challenges the idea that creativity is only for artists. Instead, he demonstrates how it is a trainable skill that fuels business innovation, problem-solving, and differentiation in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

• Why creativity is the most valuable asset in today’s business landscape
• How creative thinking helps you identify opportunities and solve complex problems
• How you can maximize the potential of Artificial Intelligence with human creativity
• Practical strategies to build a creative mindset within your organization

This keynote is designed to be eye-opening, inspiring, and immediately applicable to real business challenges. Expect to leave with fresh insights, actionable ideas, and a new way of thinking about creativity as a driver of business success.

Bonita Norris – Record-breaking mountaineer, adventurer, and the youngest British woman to summit both Mount Everest and the North Pole – takes the stage for an unforgettable closing keynote.

Through her gripping personal journey, Bonita reveals how small steps lead to big success, applying lessons from the world’s highest peaks to leadership, teamwork, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship.

• How do you push beyond fear and self-doubt?
• What does it take to build trust and resilience in a team?
• How can bold decision-making drive success?

A sought-after speaker with 650+ talks worldwide, Bonita’s powerful storytelling and insights—featured in her bestselling book The Girl Who Climbed Everest—will leave you inspired to embrace challenges, take risks, and lead with courage.

Get ready to conquer your own Everest!

Philippe Voet, FINAT President closes this year’s conference.