On July 21 2016 when I received
information that PackPlus 2016 had been sold out I tweeted; “Sold out! PackPlus 2016 July 27-July 30
Pragati Maidan, N Delhi Show heading for unprecedented success http://www.packplus.in @PackPlus2016”
PackPlus is founded and organized
by the husband wife duo Neetu and Anil Arora. They also happen to be the
founders of India Label show which was subsequently acquired by UK based Tarsus
and renamed as “Labelexpo India”. A decade ago I wrote about Anil Arora’s
journey upto Labelexpo 2006. In 2007 it was acquired by Tarsus and for the 2010
edition they renamed it as Labelexpo India. I reproduce that article after moderate
editing;
The path traversed by Neetu and Anil Arora:
It was during one of my visit to Mumbai in the year 2001, while
planning a trip to Labelexpo Brussels with friends from Industry, I expressed
my wish that we should have a label show in India. Immediately one of the label
printer friends informed that one Mr. Anil Arora was already working on the
project and had approached many in the industry in Mumbai. Since the subject
was of interest to me I investigated and got Mr. Arora’s contact details. Before
leaving for Delhi I called Anil Arora to enquire about his plan for the show.
From the small chat with him I found him very convincing. I felt this man was
committed to the show and would make success of it. I told him I would support
him and if any help was needed I would be available. Three days later Anil was
in my office in Delhi and we were discussing plans to make the show a big
success.
By end of the year the whole industry was excited about the show and
the first India label show was completely sold out. So much so that the
organizer had to vacate their own stand to make room for demanding prospective
exhibitors. The show was a big success.
It brought the industry closer and it was first time in the history of
self adhesive labels in India that such fellowship was witnessed. It was also
during the run-up to the show that the LMAI (Label Manufacturers Association of
India) was formed.
The show then moved on to a much bigger Pragati Maidan. Anil Arora
and his better half Neetu Arora worked hard to make the show bigger and better.
The promotions were so well planned that road shows which gave insight on what
to expect, were held in cities and towns all over India. There were road shows
held in Srilanka and Bangladesh also. The second show in Delhi was bigger and
better with the Tarsus group organizer of Labelexpo taking a big portion of the
show. The India label show brand was fully established not only in India but
also internationally. There are nostalgic memories of the awards nights and the
parallel dinner meetings during the last show.
The third show in this series was held on (6-9 December 2006); the
excitement in the label industry had built up. The show was bigger and attracted
a much larger foreign attendance. The importance of the show was reflected by
the fact that the Finat sponsored “Indo-European label Exchange” was held alongside
the show. FINAT, the self-adhesive label trade association acted
as ‘matchmaker’ between European and Indian labeling industries to create
a forum to give small and medium sized member companies in both regions better
chances of doing business with each other. The forum was supported by the EU’s
Asia Invest programme and was organised in cooperation with the national trade
associations VskE (Germany) and LMAI (India). More international presence, more
working presses and a series of product launches from an industry that was
waking up to global challenges confirmed the show’s resounding success. A
conference was also held alongside the show, and was organized under the aegis
of the world renowned Alexander Watson Associates (AWA).
Alongside the Show, International
Packaging Conclave will happen on 29 July at Pragati Maidan Conference
Centre. It will focus on Print Optimisation & Colour Management for
Flexible Packaging. 25+ experts from the industry will unite for a daylong
session where more than 200 delegates including Brand Owners, Package
Converters, Packaging Technologists, Procurement Professionals, Print
Specialists, QA, Managers, Pre‐Press & Media Professionals,
Designers, Material &Equipment Suppliers and Consultants will attend the
programme. We are all set for a record-breaking edition,” said Neetu Arora,
President, Print-Packaging.com (P) Ltd., the organisers of the Show.
Neetu and Anil have two children, a son Nauroze pursuing his management studies and a daughter Garima Arora who is a celebrated Chef. After training in Switzerland and France she has worked in the famous Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant in Dubai, then in the world’s number one restaurant Noma in Copenhagen and is now working at the best Indian restaurant recognized globally; Gaggans at Bangkok. She is soon expected to open her own restaurant in Bangkok with support from Gaggans.
Note: Magazines may reproduce the above article by giving credit to the author.
Written by Harveer Sahni, Managing Director, Weldon Celloplast Limited, New Delhi July2016
Written by Harveer Sahni, Managing Director, Weldon Celloplast Limited, New Delhi July2016
Mr Sahni Your posts are always informative and very interesting GKDeshpande Geekay Print and Packaging Bangalore
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