The benefits of technology advancement and automation will be in the spotlight next month, when one of the largest technology-focused events in the packaging industry, EskoWorld 2019, takes to the world-famous stage of Nashville before more than 500 attendees. Now in its 28^thyear, Esko’s annual EskoWorld event will bring together customers who are brand owners and suppliers from across the packaging and print sector to discover, demonstrate and discuss the latest innovations that can add value to their businesses. Unique in the event landscape in that it provides a platform for the entire value chain to interact and exchange ideas, EskoWorld brings brands and their suppliers together in an open and friendly atmosphere to learn about solutions for challenges they have in common.

This year’s event arrives in Music City, Nashville, TN, on June 24-26, and will be held at the prestigious Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center. Melissa Plemen, Esko Director of Marketing North America, said that as part of the three-day event packaging professionals will learn how they can gain new capabilities, using Esko tools to deliver error-free packaging for their customers faster than ever before. “EskoWorld is a unique opportunity for our customers to explore the future of packaging production workflow and see how it can change their businesses,” she said.

“This is a hugely exciting time for the industry, where customer demand is driving innovation and significant opportunities exist for those with the flexibility and technology to deliver fast turnaround in a globally connected sector. As well as giving exclusive insight into where the industry is headed, EskoWorld will feature sneak peeks into forthcoming Esko solutions roadmaps, with sessions providing not only insight into the future of those products, but also giving attendees the opportunity to help guide their development.

The whole event can be summarized in three words – Digitize, Automate and Connect,” said Plemen. “Attendees will see first-hand how our technology ecosystem of software and hardware truly automates and connects supply chains to deliver quality, efficiency and speed-to-market, as well as supports the dynamic omni-channel world in which brands now find themselves.”

EskoWorld 2019 has been specifically designed to meet the needs of a range of roles within brand owners and packaging suppliers. Training and Roadmap sessions will provide valuable learning for operators and production managers and the Executive track zooms-in on more business-related topics, providing value to business owners and C-level executives.

“Attendees will meet and learn from people in similar roles, sharing their own experiences,” added Plemen. “They will be literally surrounded by peers with whom they can discuss specific issues and topics, offering a great opportunity to troubleshoot and network on a one-to-one basis.”

Presentations at EskoWorld will feature more than 70 guest speakers, and include Matthias Byström, President of Esko, who brings with him more than twenty years of general management experience; Mark Johnson, a Grammy winner, film director and motivational speaker; and Ryan Baysa, the Structural Packaging Designer and Lab Lead at Lumi.

This year’s keynote speech will be delivered by Robert B. Tucker, President of The Innovation Resource – the California-based consulting firm devoted exclusively to assisting companies seeking to improve top and bottom line performance through systematic innovation. Robert is an internationally-recognized leader in the field of innovation, who is one of the thought leaders in the growing Innovation Movement.

“EskoWorld is a great opportunity to support our customer base with a range of training solutions, advice and insights and of course, the networking that happens boosts the whole experience,” added Plemen. “Building knowledge is the cornerstone of the EskoWorld experience; from beginner to advanced, from hardware to software, everyone expands their knowledge and develops new skills throughout the event.”

John Morrow, President of VinPeak Advisors who delivered speeches at EskoWorld in 2017 and 2018 and is the President of the EskoWorld 2019 Advisory Board, said the event had grown in popularity due to its offering unique access to exactly what customers wanted. “The event is actually curated alongside and with the input of customers, which for an event of this scale is quite unique,” he said.

“EskoWorld is an opportunity to connect with packaging professionals and Esko experts to solve problems, create solutions, make connections, innovate together and give back to the community.”