As mentioned in my September comment, next week, Neil and I are setting off for the IMDPA’s Annual Conference in Itasca, Illinois, and look forward to hearing all the latest from the metal decorating experts of the can world. 

There will be focuses on tariffs, AI, ink mixing and digital colour controls, as well as the always insightful breakout rooms during the conference. CanTech will be in attendance for the awards luncheon and for the tabletop exhibition.

Neil coming with me to Chicago is not the norm, but as many of our contacts and advertisers already know, Sarah Hills is now on maternity leave until June 2027, so we have been sending on your congratulations, and wish her all the very best with the new arrival to her family!

Bell’s group advertisement manager, Samantha Bull, will be looking after CanTech’s sales operations in Sarah’s absence. Prior to this, Sam has been responsible for Dairy Industries International, so she’s no stranger to the beverage and equipment world, but is excited to get stuck in learning all things metal packaging! If you’d like to discuss advertising, please email her at [email protected].

She is also at PPMA Show this week, representing a good few of Bell Publishing’s titles along with our colleagues on the other magazines. So if you’re there at the NEC in Birmingham, find Sam at stand H58 to introduce yourself! If you’d like to connect with her on LinkedIn, please send her an invite and a message here.

For those of you in Illinois next week, see you there. And for those of you taking part in the golf tournament beforehand, here’s wishing for great weather!

Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
Keep in touch via email: [email protected], LinkedIn: CanTech International magazine or X: @CanTechIntl