PLMA Pivots

In a move without precedent in forty years of hosting major industry trade shows internationally, the Private Label Manufacturers Association will launch its first all-digital trade shows for the U.S at the start of 2021. Over the course of five days, February 1-5, PLMALive! presents Private Label Week will introduce a succession of category-focused online exhibitions featuring leading suppliers of store brand food and nonfood products to American retail chains.

Earlier this year, PLMA was required to postpone its enormously popular in-person annual event, and the association pivoted to offer this event online by accelerating completion of a digital trade show platform that had been in development for years, according to PLMA President Peggy Davies. Plans for the event, were unveiled last summer as the association announced the cancellation of its 2020 Private Label Trade Show, which was to have taken place this November in Chicago.

“So many unforeseen challenges resulting from the pandemic continue to disrupt the retail marketplace and supply chain, requiring retailers and manufacturers alike to search out novel and innovative avenues for their businesses. PLMA has had to innovate as well,” says Davies. “We knew we had to deliver for the sake of members who have the same needs as before to keep on building their business under these most extraordinary circumstances. The same is true for retailers,” maintains Davies. “Their need for reliable sources of every kind of product doesn’t disappear. Quite the contrary. And when the market environment changes, the capabilities of PLMA members are not easily replaceable. Everyone knows the show must go on and it will go on… virtually.”

From exhibitors on PLMA’s virtual trade show floor, featured categories will include all types of consumables: fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods, beverages, prepared foods, snacks, staple food products and ingredients. Among nonfood categories, health and beauty, cosmetics, OTC drugs, personal care, kitchenware, housewares, and household supplies will also be offered.

The digital event will afford visitors located anywhere unparalleled opportunities to discover new products 24/7, and then establish live connections with leading suppliers for face-to-face video chat. They may exchange virtual business cards during and outside the scheduled show hours to request a call back when available or when most convenient for them.

Concurrent with the virtual trade show, PLMA’s long-established industry information platform, PLMALive!, will announce a daily schedule of original on-demand video programming to include top industry speakers, research, daily category trend reports, and announcements of retail winners of PLMA’s 2020 Salute to Excellence Awards for new and innovative private label products.