Luxe Pack Review

Attendance at Luxe Pack New York and Monaco Exhibitions Continues to Grow

Over 1,414 unique visitors attended the third annual Luxe Pack New York (June 7 and 8 at New York's Metropolitan Pavilion), up 16% from 2004. The trade show spotlighted the newest innovations in luxury packaging with 60 of the industry's most prominent manufacturers and informative seminars by industry leaders.

"The Luxe Pack concept is to foster high quality business opportunities, showcase innovation through products and conferences, and facilitate networking in a lounge-like atmosphere," says Christophe Czajka, president of ETAI, which recently acquired Luxe Pack and its parent company Idice. Packaging decision-makers and top executives attending the show represented leading companies and respected manufacturers representing all segments of luxury packaging components and materials.

Luxe Pack New York hosted two seminars designed to appeal to high-level packaging buyers and designers, and both seminars drew a standing-room-only crowd. In "Packaging: That's Advertainment," Marc Rosen moderated an impressive panel including Kate Oldham, Vice President, DMM Cosmetics & Fragrances, Saks Fifth Avenue; Art Spiro, President, Liz Claiborne Cosmetics; Don Ziccardi, Chairman, Agency 212; and Susan Wells, Vice President Sales & Marketing, C Group. Line Tousignant of Peclers Paris conducted a Trend Seminar that previewed and deciphered consumers' future expectations. The presentation included an analysis of transversal socio-cultural trends and consumer attitudes, with a prospective insight and tangible creative options focused on luxury products and packaging.

During a special VIP cocktail reception, Scott Beckerman of New York City was named the U.S. Finalist of the "Monaco Luxe Pack Design Award." The 2005 project was to design a high prestige water bottle under the theme "Celebration in Monaco." Branded L'Eau d'Exubérance, Beckerman's glass bottle design featured internal spiraling grooves inspired by Monaco's Grand Prix. As the U.S. Finalist, Mr. Beckerman will receive funding to develop his concept into a prototype and an all-expense paid trip to Monaco for the Grand Final during Luxe Pack Monaco.

The 2005 Luxe Pack Monaco runs from November 2-5 at the Grimaldi Forum, and the theme of the show is "Innovation." The Monaco version, in its 18th year, is about four times the size of its New York counterpart, and last year attracted more international attendees than French attendees. This year promises to build on its position as a global event and the premier luxury packaging show.

For 2005, the Monaco Conference highlights include sessions moderated by Françoise Serralta of Peclers Paris, Jonathan Ford of London's Pearlfisher, Ute Von Buch of Creativ Verpacken magazine, and Marc Rosen, among others. These sessions look to the future to predict changes in lifestyles and consumer behavior, the future meaning of luxury, new concepts in packaging, and new strategies for brand extensions.