Invaluable networking potential, the transfer of knowledge and the birth of new opportunities: this is Pentawards Live! Following the debut collaboration in April this year, Packaging Innovations Netherlands and the Pentawards will join forces to present a new event for the international packaging design community, to be held at the Passenger Terminal in Amsterdam on February 13, 2019.

The concept behind Pentawards Live is to create a space where thought leaders and creative innovators across each pillar within the packaging value chain can convene. This dialogue is set up to better facilitate collaboration and push the boundaries of what is achievable in packaging on an international scale.

The Pentawards made its first appearance in The Netherlands with a dedicated Pentawards Conference and Winners’ Exhibit at the 2018 edition of Packaging Innovations Utrecht. The conference hosted sessions from world leaders in packaging design whilst the Winners’ Exhibit gave visitors the opportunity to be inspired by a global selection of award-winning design from the 2017 Pentawards competition.

Now it is time to take it to the next level. "The introduction of the Pentawards to the Dutch audience was well received, both visitors and exhibitors responded enthusiastically to this collaboration at Packaging Innovations Utrecht 2018. The Pentawards team in London were encouraged by this, which led to the idea of an international event. The focus would be on providing a platform where senior individuals in each discipline of packaging - including design - could meet and innovate more cohesively. We are honoured that the first edition of Pentawards Live will take place in our country”, says Irma de Hoon from Easyfairs, who also organises Packaging Innovations and Empack in The Netherlands.

"A visit to the Pentawards Ceremony in New York made us realise that the quality of Dutch packaging design is unbelievably high. By organising Pentawards Live, we can showcase this to the domestic and international community whilst also firmly putting The Netherlands on the map, as a global hub for packaging.”

A place where design, brand and technology collide

The vision of Pentawards Live, ‘a place where design, brand and technology collide’, is all-encompassing. The most prestigious packaging award in the world knows exactly how to connect design, brand and technology together. Well-known Dutch and international design agencies and innovative packaging experts will deliver presentations to those in attendance.

"Here we want to present the pinnacle of creative design and expertise’’, comments Irma de Hoon. "This event in Amsterdam, the beating heart of Dutch design, will build bridges to new international markets and generate huge exposure for the Dutch packaging design industry.”

How will it work?

The Passenger Terminal Amsterdam was made for Pentawards Live. The event will be divided in to three areas, each with a different theme and purpose; Connect, Inspire and Learn. The beating heart of the event will be Connect on the Main Deck of the Passenger Terminal, where the interaction between design agencies, brand owners, and packaging experts in materials and technology will take place in a carefully curated ‘exhibition style’ layout. The Promenade Deck will be dedicated to Inspire, where a selection of award-winning designs from the 2018 Pentawards competition will be displayed on the world renowned Pentawards Winner’s Exhibit. Learn will be delivered on the Panorama Deck, where the world’s greatest influencers in packaging will take the stage and challenge the international audience to think outside of the box.

Full access to Connect, Inspire & Lean at Pentawards Live can be gained by securing a Pentawards Pass.

Adam Ryan, Pentawards Project Manager said: 

“We have seen our Pentawards community grow at an exponential rate in the last 12 months. The 2018 competition saw an increase in participation by 15%, with entries coming from a staggering 64 countries. In addition, the Pentawards has successfully programmed conferences in Shanghai, New York and London to packed audiences, delivering content that has sparked debate and pushed the boundaries of innovation and creativity in packaging. Now, we are incredibly excited to be working with our Dutch colleagues at PI Netherlands, to launch Pentawards Live.

In response to demand for a new event, that draws cutting edge packaging professionals; from existing and emerging brands, to materials specialists, to design gurus, and pioneers in technology, under one roof, to truly facilitate a more fluid system where opportunity, collaboration and discovery can thrive - Pentawards Live was born.

As our community continues to grow, both digitally and through our live events, it only seems natural that we use our unique position in the industry, to become a connector between the various layers within the packaging value chain, to enable true innovation. Pentawards Live in Amsterdam is a huge first step towards achieving this.”

The Pentawards Live will take place on the 13th of February 2019 in the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. More information is available on www.pentawardslive.nl.