When the label and package printing industry descends upon Rosemont, IL, USA, from September 15-17, 2026, the destination will feature a new name: LOUPE Americas. Formerly known as Labelexpo, the global event series has rebranded to LOUPE to encompass all the markets impacting label and package printers.

LOUPE will continue to focus on its core brand of labels, but it will do so with a widened lens that includes the flexible packaging and folding carton sectors. LOUPE stands for Labels & OUter Packaging Embellishment.

“There won’t be a huge difference walking into LOUPE Americas,” explains Tasha Ventimiglia, Group Director, Americas, Informa Markets. “Labels are still the fundamental core. We’re targeting disruption in the carton and flexible packaging market that has been taking place over the last 10 years. There has been a flexible packaging ecosystem with wider presses that we’ve seen built up inside Labelexpo. And we anticipate that with folding carton.”

Those familiar with the Labelexpo Global Brand Series will still enjoy eight global events branded under LOUPE. According to Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director, Informa Markets, LOUPE does not intend to become a general print show. In fact, it seeks to meet demand that has been burgeoning throughout the label and packaging industry for years.

“We’re not aiming to compete with drupa and be a general packaging show,” says Thomas-Emans. “We’re taking the agility from the label market and applying it to new applications, meeting demand for personalization and customization. We won’t become a general print show.”

Expanded Platform

The new layout of LOUPE Americas will allow suppliers playing in numerous markets to showcase several applications under one roof. For example, a press supplier might offer wider web machinery better suited for flexible packaging. That equipment could stand next to its traditional label printing options.

“You have a platform now to bring more products and more equipment,” explains Ventimiglia. “Exhibitors have indicated they’re in multiple sectors, and this is a chance to showcase that equipment and these products that they offer. You can have someone from your team there at the event to talk about it. This shift will start in the Americas but move to all the global shows.”

“We’ve become a hub for the package printing and converting industry,” adds Thomas-Emans. “This is an opportunity to translate your label skills and modular, hybrid technologies into new markets. There are opportunities for those technologies in other markets. There’s also the opportunity to network and show people outside the industry what core label technologies can deliver.”

With an industry trend of M&A and consolidation, many of these growing platform groups offer a wide range of print technologies. LOUPE provides an avenue for bigger companies  to explore multiple end-use markets.

“As with flexible packaging 12 years ago, there wasn’t an ecosystem for it,” notes Thomas-Emans. “Now we see suppliers with creative technologies, and we expect the same in the folding carton industry.

“If you’re producing RFID labels, there’s an ability to transfer that capability to folding carton,” adds Thomas-Emans. “There’s cross-pollination to find new ideas transferrable through all these areas.”

New Features

In 2026, LOUPE Americas will highlight several new opportunities. There will be more offerings for networking, with various meetups and gatherings. There will be a next-gen meetup and women meetup. The LOUPE team will also focus on education for students to allow them to understand the industry and what we’re attempting to accomplish.

A new LOUPE App will provide an opportunity for exhibitors to connect, in some cases prior to getting on-site. Meanwhile, conference presentations will focus on AI and automation, sustainability, folding cartons, flexible packaging, and more.

“We’re excited about this new brand and the changes you’ll see,” states Ventimiglia. “It will be primarily labels and it won’t look drastically different, but there will be an audience looking for new things. We have great education. We encourage exhibitors to register staff in the meetups, roundtables, and keynotes. It’s a fantastic way to network with the industry.”

LOUPE Americas will serve as the first event in the new rebrand, too. “There’s something special about the Americas event because the industry is closeknit and tight in the Americas, and you can see that at our show,” concludes Ventimiglia. “The location and venue is perfect for the size of our event. You really have the opportunity to take advantage of the connections available on and off the show floor.”