Afera, the European Adhesive Tape Association, has announced the launch of its 62nd Annual Conference, the premier yearly event for the European tape business, taking place from 9th – 11th October at the Pestana Palace Hotel, Lisbon.
Along with key topics on the management agendas of all future focused Afera member companies, “the war for talent” and the next generation workforce will be of particular focus at the Lisbon event.
Putting decision makers and innovation drivers in the centre of the tape business
Themed “Making the Tape Business Future-Proof”, including its effect on the workforce, business models, supply chains, sales channels, technology, product development and the application process, the Conference will provide tape industry professionals with the opportunity to interact with tape industry leaders, sales and technology drivers and field expert speakers.
In Lisbon, 150+ participants from Europe and all parts of the globe will meet company delegates from businesses along the entire adhesive tape value chain: tape manufacturers, suppliers (raw materials, machine and packaging), converters, distributors, research institutions, national tape organisations and other international counterparts.
“European businesses cannot assume that tapes will always be used - which is why Afera’s Conference programme is aimed at keeping our technology and market relevant,” commented Evert Smit, Afera president and head of R&D at Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG. “In order to survive, we have to participate actively in building our future, and this starts with cooperating and creating together.”
“How connected you are is how competitive you are. Afera is that connector with events such as the Lisbon Conference,” added Astrid Lejeune, Afera secretary general.
A programme dedicated to identifying trends, facing challenges and finding solutions
The Lisbon Conference working programme will consist of 10 lectures over 2 day working sessions.
This year’s line-up features a topic that has been driving debate among Afera member companies - the war for talent and the next-generation workforce. Many companies are facing difficulties in understanding, attracting and retaining the new generations of employees. How can tape related companies understand tomorrow’s workforce expectations, needs and aspirations? Christiane Schober, senior human capital consultant at Deloitte Consulting GmbH, will discuss Deloitte’s annual Global Survey conducted among Millennials (those born 1983-1994) and Generation Z (those born 1995-2002) and provide advice on what businesses can do to capture their hearts and minds.
These younger generation employees are increasingly pessimistic about their lives, careers and the world and less trusting of business and political leaders. They are concerned about progressive issues such as climate change and driven by evolving values of travel and helping communities over starting their own families and businesses. “The aspirations of the younger generation may seem contradictory at first glance,” said Ms. Schober. “This is why Millennials are called ‘the generation disrupted’, and in return their behaviour and choices are profoundly disrupting business and society alike.”
All topics covered at the Lisbon Conference:
After a business lunch on Day 1, attendees will enjoy networking on a tour around Lisbon by GoCar, electric bicycle, auto rickshaw or speed boat. The working programme will also feature Afera’s semi-annual Technical, Marketing and Steering Committee meetings, Afera’s annual General Assembly, ample time for networking during coffee breaks and lunches, and 2 masters of ceremonies: Afera Steering Committee Member Melanie Lack, business manager of tapes and labels at H.B. Fuller, and Bert van Loon, marketing innovation expert and independent strategist.
Lisbon Conference participants will also get to enjoy cocktails and dinners in the gardens (Casa do Lago) and in the old stables (Cavalariças) attached to the Hotel, as well as at Kais Restaurant. During the social programme, partners will be treated exclusively to tours of Lisbon’s historic centre and the Belém district (including the Jerónimos Monastery), painting tiles at the National Tile Museum and a cooking lesson.
Afera, the European Adhesive Tape Association unites stakeholders along the value chain of the European tape industry, to ensure and increase the relevance of the tape business in the world of tomorrow. The go to community of the European tape industry is comprised of over 100 member companies from 20 European countries that include adhesive tape manufacturers, suppliers (raw materials, machine and packaging), converters, national tape organisations, research institutions and universities.
With the goal of making the tape industry future-proof, Afera actively studies and involves itself in relevant market, standardisation and regulatory issues, provides platforms and programmes for discussion and learning, and facilitates contact among its members and all other pertinent bodies at national and international levels. Founded in Paris in 1958, Afera has operated with its head office in The Hague, the Netherlands, since 1999 under the management of Lejeune Association Management.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
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