Following consultation with its members, AIPIA has taken the decision to move the online Supply Chain Congress, scheduled for 7 October to co-locate with the Digitization, Connected Packaging and Sustainability event on 16 November. The supply chain element will run as a distinct stream, but access will be available to all delegates registered on the day. Likewise, those booked on the supply chain stream can access the other presentations, making it a more holistic event.
“We are finding more and more that people are struggling to make the time commitments now demanded to participate in a lot of separate online events. So we have decided to revert to the formula used at our successful ‘live’ events in Amsterdam and offer a single event, but with separate themes covering specialized topics,” explained AIPIA managing director Eef de Ferrante.
“AIPIA has found many companies cannot commit resources to separate dates. Likewise, potential delegates are reluctant to commit to two days and two fees, even when both topics are of interest. So it was clear that combining the events was the best choice. Moving the Supply Chain Congress gives us more time to fill out that stream, possibly even with a brand challenge and another retailer/brand owner forum, and revert to our traditional time slot in November,” he added.
A challenge for challenging times
One result of this move is that a major brand owner is considering to offer one of AIPIA’s unique brand challenges, where members can pitch their Smart Packaging solutions at a particular project or ‘pain point’ identified by the brand. These are lively and very dynamic occasions, even in an online format, as solutions providers get just 3 minutes to make their pitch!
“As delegates registered for both the Supply Chain Congress and Digitization Congress will have full access to all presentations in November, this offers better value and, we hope, a chance to see even more of the latest developments in Smart Packaging,” said De Ferrante
