Easyfairs, which owns Oriex Communications, the exhibition company that operates ADF&PCD among many other events, has announced the acquisition of Pentawards, the prestigious worldwide competition dedicated to packaging design in all categories.
 
Pentawards, founded by Jean Jacques and Brigitte Evrard, launched in January 2007 to increase awareness of packaging design and those who create it. Its 55 categories are open to all those across the globe who are associated with the creation or marketing of packaging, and are judged by an international jury consisting of 12 highly reputed designers and packaging design directors from major companies.
 
Trophies are awarded each year in a different city in Europe, Asia or America during an official ceremony that welcomes hundreds of designers from around the world. The 10th annual Pentawards ceremony took place in September in Shanghai.
 
Pentawards will be operated by Easyfairs UK & Global office, part of the exhibition company Artexis Easyfairs. According to Easyfairs, the acquisition complements its existing global portfolio of packaging events that run across Europe and North America, including Packaging Innovations, Luxury Packaging, Label&Print, Empack, ADF (Aerosol Dispensing Forum) and PCD (Packaging of Perfumery, Cosmetics & Design).
 
Matt Benyon, managing director of Easyfairs UK & Global, commented: “We are delighted by this latest acquisition, which cements us as the leading organiser for packaging events globally. The Pentawards are a prestigious and well-recognised concept with a respected heritage, which enhances our global presence and ensures a foothold in the Awards marketplace.”
 
Entries for the next Pentawards are open from February 20 to April 7; the ceremony will take place in Barcelona on September 23, 2017.
 
This acquisition is the latest in a series of global acquisitions by Easyfairs, which includes Oriex Communication, organizers of the ADF and PCD events earlier this year. According to the group, it also has ambitious plans for global growth through launches and further acquisitions in the near future.
 
 
Shown: Cosme Decorte Packaging from Kose Corporation received Gold in this year’s 10th anniversary of the Pentawards.