The International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO) celebrated its 50th anniversary during interpack 2026 with a networking dinner in Düsseldorf that brought together packaging journalists, industry leaders, and long-time supporters from around the world.

Held at Brauerei Schumacher on 10 May during the global processing and packaging exhibition, the event marked five decades of international collaboration among packaging media professionals.

Guests included IPPO members representing packaging publications across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, alongside industry partners, trade associations, and event organisers that have supported the organisation over many years.

In my address to attendees, I reflected on the organisation’s evolution since its founding in 1974, noting that while the media landscape has changed dramatically, the value of trusted international relationships and professional collaboration remains as important as ever.

I also acknowledged the role interpack has played over many years in bringing together the international packaging media community, and thanked Messe Düsseldorf for its ongoing support of IPPO activities and networking opportunities.

 

Thanks to past board members for their service

Special recognition was given during the evening to outgoing vice president Naresh Khanna, who recently stepped down from the IPPO board after many years of service to the organisation.

I thanked Khanna for his contribution to IPPO and his longstanding commitment to fostering international connections across the packaging media community.

The evening also recognised the contribution of former IPPO treasurer Andrew Manly, who attended the anniversary celebration in Düsseldorf. I acknowledged Manly’s years of support and service to the organisation, particularly in helping strengthen IPPO’s operational foundations over time.

 

Speeches from dignitaries

The evening featured reflections from two former IPPO presidents, Liliam Benzi and Gerard Molenaar, both of whom spoke warmly about their years with the organisation and the friendships and professional connections built through IPPO over decades.

Benzi, the first Latin American president elected to lead IPPO, reflected on presiding over the organisation during its 25th anniversary period and spoke about the importance of maintaining international collaboration among packaging journalists despite the profound changes that have reshaped the global media industry.

Molenaar, who served as president during IPPO’s 30th anniversary, similarly reflected on a very different publishing and communications landscape from the one facing media organisations today, while expressing confidence in the current board and the future direction of IPPO.

Also addressing the gathering was Luciana Pellegrino, the re-elected president of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) who highlighted the longstanding relationship between IPPO and the WPO, and the importance of continued collaboration between the two international bodies in supporting and promoting the global packaging industry.

Among the guest speakers was Richard Lévé, representing Steel for Packaging Europe, which supported the event as gold sponsor.

A special highlight was the presentation by PMMI of the prize for one lucky IPPO member to attend PackExpo Chicago, with flights and accommodation costs sponsored by PMMI. This year the lucky recipient of the prize is Italian packaging journalist Marco Fiori.

 

Toasts from guests and sponsors

The significance of the evening was also reflected in the reactions shared by guests and sponsors following the event.

Yulia Tribrat of Finn Partners International, one of the event’s bronze sponsors, described the dinner as “one of the highlights” of her time at interpack 2026.

“Trade shows are important for showcasing innovation. But evenings like this are a reminder that relationships, trust, and connections sit at the centre of global business,” she wrote on LinkedIn, while thanking IPPO for hosting “such a warm and engaging evening.”

Chakravarthi AVPS, global ambassador for WPO, described the gathering as “an incredible evening of celebration and connection,” saying it was a reminder of “the strength within our global stakeholder community.”

“These are the voices that capture our industry’s pulse and drive the narrative of innovation forward,” he wrote, referring to the international packaging journalists attending the event.

He also congratulated me on my re-election as president, alongside vice president Tim Sykes, secretary general Lisa Pierce, and treasurer Dominique Huret, expressing confidence that the organisation was “in excellent hands to lead us through the evolving global landscape.”

Ton Knipscheer of the European co-packers association described it as a “a great evening,” noting it was inspiring to hear reflections from IPPO president Lindy Hughson, former presidents Gerard Molenaar, Liliam Benzi, and WPO World Packaging Organisation’s president Luciana Pellegrino on the importance of an independent and professional packaging press, and the strong connections between media, the packaging industry, and the global packaging community.

“In a rapidly changing world, good journalism, industry knowledge, and international collaboration remain essential to keep the packaging sector informed, connected, and moving forward,” Knipscheer said. “Congratulations to IPPO on this important milestone — and thank you for bringing together so many familiar faces from across the global packaging community at the world’s largest packaging event, interpack 2026.”

Communications and media specialist Monika Durr also reflected on the role IPPO has played in fostering global industry dialogue.

“For five decades, IPPO has played an important role in connecting packaging journalists and industry professionals across international markets, helping to keep the industry informed, connected, and open to dialogue,” she wrote.

Durr also congratulated me on my re-election, acknowledging my “energy, dedication, and long-standing commitment to the global packaging community.”

The evening also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the newly elected IPPO Board for the 2026–2029 term, announced to coincide with interpack, as well as the volunteers and sponsors whose support helped make the anniversary event possible.

 

Creating a bright future for global packaging journalism

Founded in 1974, IPPO today comprises editors, journalists and writers covering the packaging industry from more than 30 countries. The organisation promotes international cooperation among packaging media and supports knowledge sharing across markets and regions.

As attendees raised a toast to IPPO’s 50th anniversary, the message throughout the evening was one of continuity, collaboration, and optimism for the future of international packaging journalism.