Expert panelists will include such big names as Brand Council (UK) and Superbrands founder Marcel Knobil,  Environmentalist and author of 'The New Green Consumer Guide' Julia Hailes MBE, Robert Opie, Curator of the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising www.museumofbrands.com and Packaging and Pete Marsh, CEO of Planet Organic UK (www.planetorganic.com)

Commenting on the debate, and who will be chairing the proceedings, Kevin Vyse from The Packaging Society said:

"Packaging is part and parcel of our everyday life. Innovative packaging carries a products brand mark, protects goods in transit, keeps produce fresher longer, and extends shelf-life over months and even years.  Not only that but it facilities the way in which some products can be accurately and efficiently dispensed, safeguards against counterfeiting and tampering and tells us what we're eating, where it came from, and when it's past its sell-by date.

"Yet its contribution is either taken for granted or else misunderstood by the public at large; it's needed but rarely respected. When the focus shifts to environmental concerns, it's invariably vilified for incurring unnecessary carbon footprint or else ridiculed as being superfluous to requirements."

Indeed, take a straw poll of public opinion, and shrink-wrapped cucumber, elaborately presented Easter eggs and plastic bags littering the pavement are the most likely lasting impressions.

Kevin adds: "Maybe the underlying problem is more to do with our consumerism habits than we might care to admit. Even so, having successfully created the successful image for so many products, why has packaging failed to do the same for itself?"

This and other issues will be being addressed by an expert panel, all of whom will be representing the different perspectives of how packaging impacts upon branding, retailing, the environment, consumerism, and the media.

easyFairs® Managing Director Matt Benyon said: "It should prove to be a very lively debate. And it's one in which our exhibitors and visitors I'm sure will want to express some firm opinions of their own, and take an active part by raising points from the floor, or even posting questions online in advance. I can't wait."

More info:
www.easyfairs.com