To announce the newly establishedInstitute of Packaging Professionals(IoPP) U.K., a champagne reception took place May 28 at the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill, London, England. The reception was the inaugural event for the U.K. division of IoPP, which represented packaging professionals on a global level.

IoPP U.K. was formed to respond to the growing global nature of the packaging business – including the influx of IoPP members all over the world – connecting packaging professionals in a more comprehensive way regardless of geographic boundaries.

IoPP U.K. will be structured and directed by membership, attracting packaging professionals involved in all aspects of the industry from the supply chain and package design to manufacturers, material suppliers, converters, brand owners and retailers.

 “IoPP has striven to be the unified and consistent voice in packaging in North America and, subsequently, we are bringing IoPP to the U.K. incorporating the true spirit of the Institute,” says Kevin Vyse, managing director U.K., IoPP. “IoPP will operate in a way which best serves its professional member base here in the U.K. while linking directly to the Institute’s global partners.”

Core IoPP U.K. activities will reflect the global nature of the Institute and will include regular webinars on hot topics in packaging, user group seminars, industry conferences, member networking events and discounted educational packages.

 “Our vision is to have IoPP U.K. become a truly global standard-bearer for packaging professionals around the world,” says Vyse.

The Champagne Reception in Notting Hill included guest speakers, who challenged brands to rethink their relationship with packaging. Marcel Knobil, “The Brand Guru,” media commentator and founder of Superbrands, and Tom Heap, BBC Broadcaster & Writer, shared their thoughts on the future of packaging, discussing how brands will or should be reacting to many of the challenges facing packaging around the globe.

IoPP U.K. represents IoPP’s latest development in the Institute’s international membership growth.

IoPP has members and customers from over 40 countries, on every continent. For more information about IoPP U.K., visithttp://uk.iopp.org.