The International Packaging Press Organisation party, held at the Schumacher Alt brewery during interpack, was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to the efforts of chief party organiser Andrew Manly (IPPO Treasurer), who went above and beyond to ensure the event ran seamlessly and everyone was well-fed and watered.

He was supported in his efforts by IPPO’s generous industry partners: Finn Partners, a leading communications company servicing the packaging and processing industry; UCIMA, the Italian packaging machinery manufacturers association and owner of packaging trade show IPACK-IMA; APEAL, the association of European producers of steel for packaging; APPMA, the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association and owner of trade show APPEX; and PMMI, the North American association for packaging and processing technology and owner of the suite of PACK EXPO trade shows.

Representatives from these organisations and their guests joined IPPO journalists to celebrate the return of in-person events, and also witness the handover of the IPPO presidency by Steven Pacitti (president from 2017-2023) to Lindy Hughson, who will step into the role until 2026, at the next interpack. Hughson, who hails from Australia, will be supported by vice president Naresh Khanna from India, secretary general Lisa McTigue Pierce from USA, and treasurer Andrew Manly from The Netherlands.

Hughson thanked Pacitti for his tremendous contribution, particularly for steering the IPPO ship during the COVID-19 period. She said she was honoured to lead IPPO and would work to continue to strengthen the relationship with partner organisations, and to build the profile of IPPO as a professional organisation on the global stage.

Rounding out the speeches, we heard short presentations from our gold sponsors about how they value their relationship with IPPO. Finn Partner’s global strategy director Yulia Tribrat expressed gratitude for the support our packaging press fraternity have shown Finn Partners and its clients, and said she looked forward to continuing the long-standing relationship into the future.

UCIMA’s chairman Riccardo Cavanna said UCIMA believes IPPO is vitally important to the packaging industry, with its journalists and editors communicating about packaging developments. He said given that the technologies and solutions that the packaging value chain produces are able to improve the lives of all citizens, the industry needs a constant and fruitful collaboration with experts and journalists from the world of the trade press, for an increasingly effective and open communication to the world at large and also to the next generation.

IPPO was also honoured by the attendance of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) Board, who announced their next president at the party. Luciana Pellegrino will succeed incumbent president Pierre Pienaar, whose term of office ends in November this year. This is the first time in the history of the WPO that a woman has held this role.

Pienaar expressed his support of both new presidents and acknowledged the importance of the collaboration between the two organisations. Hughson thanked him and said strengthening the partnership between the two organisations will be a focus of her tenure.

The beer flowed, the food was served, and a jolly good time was had by all – as the pictures in our image gallery attest.

We look forward to the interpack party in 2027!