Despite the global economy, and the Eurozone in particular, still experiencing instability, pre-registration numbers for CPhI 2011 have exceeded those of 2010 and organiser UBM is expecting a record events line-up. Although it is too early to cite specific figures, UBM Live brand director for CPhI, Annemieke Timmers, believes that the combination of the location in Frankfurt and positive changes in the market have translated into growth for the show and is delighted with what she has seen so far.
This year has also seen a record response to the CPhI Innovation Awards; not only is the number of entries up on last year’s total of 30, but their quality is also causing excitement among the organisers and the judging panel.
‘We have found that the participating companies have taken the concept behind the CPhI Innovation Awards very seriously and that the entries continue to represent truly innovative developments in the industry,’ said Timmers. ‘The awards serve as a reflection of the goals of our events as a whole, which are to offer an inclusive, premier industry event where top line information and opportunities are easily accessible to those engaged in the pharmaceuticals market.
‘The CPhI Innovation Awards celebrate diversity and innovation in an ever-changing industry, and recognise outstanding achievements in both of these areas. They also encourage participation from companies of all sizes by offering a level playing field for good development.
‘All too often, you see that the Big Pharma names are the ones receiving all the attention, but the reality is that the market consists of many different types of companies and specialities – some of the most innovative and brilliant ideas come initially from more humble origins. By providing a platform for unique participants to compete evenly, we feel that the awards have become an “ambassador” for innovation.’
One sector of the industry that will be in the spotlight this year is packaging. After analysing feedback, both from attendees of the Packaging Zone, which made its debut at the 2010 ICSE event, and CPhI events in general, there was a clear demand for packaging, packaging equip-ment, supplies and resources. InnoPack has been introduced in 2011 to feature a cross-section of exhibitors covering a wide range of pharmaceutical packaging sectors – closures, labelling and anticounterfeiting printing and software – and will also feature daily ‘Innovation Briefs’ covering relevant industry trends.
Innopack will be complemented by the ‘Packaging Trail’, a trail that will once again feature throughout all the co-located events and will vary based on the focus of the event it is located with. For example, CPhI Worldwide will offer a central starting point for the trail, which will highlight the exhibitors that are likely to appeal to visitors to both InnoPack and the Packaging Trail. At the ICSE event, the trail will feature resources such as contract packers and drug delivery system providers, while the P-MEC element of the trail will highlight manufacturers of innovative packaging-related technologies such as track and trace solutions, tabletting equipment and capsule fillers.
Also new for 2011, the Logistics and Supply Chain Zone will cover logistics, cold transport and supply chain solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. It has been added to the ICSE event to address valid concerns in the pharma industry about safe global transportation solutions for ingredients.
‘The market has truly become global and in tandem with that comes a strong focus on accountability and quality for all parties involved in the manufacture and distribution of pharmaceuticals,’ said Haf Cennydd, UBM Live brand director for ICSE, P-MEC and BioPh. ‘This new zone has a strong synergy with both Innopack, which features RFID, track and trace, anticounterfeiting and general packaging solutions, and P-MEC, which hosts companies that provide transportation requirement solutions for pharma machinery and equipment.’
‘The expansion of events, zones and trails is a reflection of the specialisation that we are seeing across the industry itself and we expect it to be well received,’ added Timmers. ‘We put a great deal of time and consideration into co-ordinating the details of each feature offered and feel that this has been effectively mapped out. As our events, like the markets we are serving, are constantly evolving, we are aware of the need for flexibility and will again solicit feedback about further areas for growth and enhancing value for participants.’
This year the events will also be more interactive than in previous years. As part of show registration there are two new avenues for guests to interact with their audience. The ‘Exhibitor Invitations’ feature enables exhibitors to email targets directly with their specific show information and start generating leads before even stepping on site. The ‘Who’s Attending’ feature has similar functionality, but is more applicable to planning activity at the show in that it allows guests to gain information about their target contacts and find out who those companies will have on site and what they are representing during their time at the show.
Cennydd: The market has truly become global and in tandem with that comes a strong focus on accountability and quality for all parties involved in the manufacture and distribution of pharmaceuticals
On Monday, 24 October, the day before CPhI opens, the Pre-Show Conference Series features two strategic forums aimed at understanding how the pharma industry can take advantage of new market developments and drive future competitive advantage in global sourcing and contracting; it will tap into the knowledge of more than 350 distinguished industry peers and influential thinkers from around the world.
During the show, a Lunchtime Education Series is being introduced for 2011, offering six information-packed, half-hour sessions over the three exhibition days. Meanwhile, CPhI Worldwide, ICSE and InnoPack will feature ‘Speakers Corners’, where exhibitors present the latest product and service innovations.
social media
But even those who can’t make it to Frankfurt can still participate indirectly in the event thanks to the growing use of social media.
‘Social media continues to expand as a mode of communication for this market and we have done a lot of research and development around maximising these media platforms,’ explains Timmers. ‘We have dedicated staff who will be putting information out to market live from the show through social media avenues, such as LinkedIn, facebook and twitter.
‘These channels allow us to provide our market with up-to-date information about what is going on with the events, as well as promotions surrounding the events and future happenings. The LinkedIn discussion forum we host has been of particular value by allowing us to communicate directly with our market and get customer input, as well as facilitating customer networking through the site.’
In addition, CPhI Online (www.cphi-online.com) has been overhauled to make it an interactive resource before, during and after the show. The new approach is to offer a central point where members can find up-to-the-minute news, network with prospective clients and suppliers and also have access to the full line-up of conferences and events worldwide.
In advance of the show, UBM held two new virtual conferences. CPhI Pre-Connect, on 8 September, offered guests a platform through which they could make valuable connections and learn about key pharma industry trends and developments. It also provided access to these resources for those unable to attend CPhI Worldwide and its co-located events.
The second event, ‘Pharmaceutical Track and Trace Authentication: The Fight against Fake Drugs’, took place on 13 September and addressed one of the key issues facing the pharma and biopharma supply chain – counterfeit drugs. Both online formats allowed visitors to participate from anywhere in the world and offered tradeshow-like set-ups with supplier webinars, ‘exhibition halls’ and featured speaker line-ups.
‘While the virtual format is a newer one for UBM, we are delighted to provide these inter-active offerings as they allow guests who may not otherwise be able to take advantage of our physical events, to participate and draw value,’ Timmers said.
‘As with all new additions, we will evaluate feedback and evolve this element of our service to make further introductions based on what is proven to be in demand.
‘As the market becomes increasingly global, and return on investment and travel budgets are increasingly under scrutiny, we feel that virtual events are an exceptional way for us to expand our portfolio and make it accessible to all interested parties.’
