Your network is your competitive edge

Packaging Solutions

In a market defined by rapid change, increasing complexity and rising customer expectations, one advantage stands above all: your network. From 27 to 29 May 2026, the FINAT European Label Forum 2026 (ELF) will bring together Europe’s leading label printers, suppliers and industry experts for three days of high level exchange, strategic insight and meaningful peer to peer collaboration. For owners and managers of label printing companies, ELF 2026 is not just another conference. It is the industry’s inner circle.

ELF is designed for all leaders and managers in the label value chain. Unlike larger trade exhibitions, this event offers a focused, trusted environment where conversations go beyond surface level introductions. Here, you engage directly with fellow label printing company owners and managing directors, key suppliers and technology partners, and industry thought leaders shaping market developments. These are not chance encounters on a show floor. They are curated connections, shared discussions and candid exchanges that strengthen relationships and open new opportunities.

Dana Kilarska, vice president of FINAT and CEO of label printing company Purgina, stated: ‘As a second generation label printer from the CEE region, attending the FINAT European Label Forum is personally important to me. It is an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, exchange ideas with peers, and bring fresh inspiration back to our family business to strengthen our company‘s long term growth. Attending the FINAT European Label Forum represents an important step in the generation or leadership change within companies. This platform delivers learning from experienced industry leaders and builds confidence to guide companies into their next chapter.’

In times of geopolitical uncertainty, sustainability transitions and accelerating technological change, strategic clarity is essential. The 2026 programme, now fully published at www.europeanlabelforum.com/programme, features speakers and industry leaders who are actively shaping the market, not merely observing it. Attendees will gain actionable insights into market dynamics and growth opportunities, sustainability as a driver of innovation and value, leadership and organisational resilience, and emerging technologies and evolving customer expectations.

FINAT equips business leaders with the perspective and foresight needed to navigate complexity and maintain competitive advantage. Dana commented, ‘In challenging times, the ELF allows me to gain clarity and better understand how the market is shaping. It is about turning uncertainty into strategy and ensuring our company remains resilient and competitive. By attending, I better understand how emerging technologies such as AI can enhance efficiency, creativity, and decision making in our label production.’

New for 2026, the programme introduces enhanced interactive formats to deepen engagement and stimulate peer learning. These include dialogue on stage sessions encouraging open exchange between industry leaders, panel discussions tackling critical business challenges from multiple viewpoints, and workshops designed for practical takeaways and active participation.

This year’s format reflects a clear ambition: to move from presentation to participation, and from listening to collaborating. The result is a level of collective energy and shared problem solving you will not find anywhere else in the industry.

In a competitive landscape where differentiation is increasingly difficult, relationships matter more than ever. Trusted peers provide perspective. Strategic partners unlock innovation. Shared knowledge accelerates progress. ELF 2026 offers a rare opportunity to step away from daily operations and invest in the relationships and insights that will define your company’s future. Next to that, Dana continued, ‘FINAT really supports young leaders and rising stars as they step into key roles within their companies. For me, becoming the first female president of FINAT is a privilege and a powerful reminder that anything can be achieved. I aim to lead with integrity across our industry while supporting the next generation of leaders. Attending the FINAT European Label Forum offers an invaluable opportunity to step fully into our industry, gain a deeper understanding of its dynamics, build meaningful networks, and see that women are welcomed and encouraged to take on bigger roles.’

For label printing company owners and managers who believe in the power of collaboration, strategic dialogue and forward thinking leadership, the FINAT European Label Forum 2026 is the place to be. Because in today’s market, your network is not just a resource. It is your competitive edge.

For more information and to register, visit: www.europeanlabelforum.com