EVO NXT: high-calibre speakers to illuminate the future of the NGP industry

With its keynote talks, workshops and discussion panels, the business festival in Málaga will once again offer valuable insights from top speakers throughout the industry

Dortmund, 01 March 2024 – The next-generation products (NGP) industry is in constant change, with new trends and innovations coming onto the market in rapid succession, while at the same time global political regulations are constantly presenting the various players with fresh challenges. In order to support this still young industry and promote dialogue between all industry players, Messe Dortmund launched the unique EVO NXT business festival last year – a format that really sets itself apart from customary trade show concepts.

Following its promising début, the second event will take place once again in Málaga, Spain, on 5 and 6 April 2024. In a relaxed festival atmosphere under the Andalusian sun, the “Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga” (FYCMA) will once again be given over to NGPs, snus, cannabis and more for two days in succession. As well as a comprehensive overview of the latest products and trends, which will be presented by numerous well-known exhibitors in four themed zones, networking events will provide great opportunities to make new contacts and build on existing business relationships. An inspiring entertainment programme will complete what promises to be a superb event.

This year’s EVO NXT will focus on a topic which is occupying minds across the NGP industry and will therefore also be featured prominently within the festival’s extensive supporting programme: the fast-moving progress of political regulations and their impact on the future of the market. Governments around the world are taking measures to restrict the consumption of tobacco products and alternatives.

Policy-makers tightening the regulatory reins
The British government recently decided to ban disposable e-cigarettes and reduce their use by young people. This is to be achieved by restricting the range of flavours on offer, introducing standardised packaging and redesigning the way the products are presented in shops. The UK government is also introducing measures to ban the sale of tobacco products to people born after 1 January 2009 with the aim of producing an entire generation of non-smokers.

The Spanish cabinet had previously decided to adapt the regulations for tobacco heaters to the current laws for conventional cigarettes from April 2024. This includes a ban on flavours and flavourings as well as the use of warning labels on packaging – similar to the regulations that have been in force in Germany since last October. However, e-cigarettes are still excluded from this.

Regulation and innovation: all eyes on the future of the NGP industry
The EVO NXT supporting programme will take a close look at these developments. Big-name industry experts and prominent speakers will be sharing their expertise and experience in keynote talks, summits, workshops and discussion panels. Lorenzo Guaragna and Jonathan Darnell, who work as legal analyst and market analyst, respectively, for the TobaccoIntelligence research institute, are among the authors of the article entitled ‘Outlook for the European Union and Key Global Markets: Examining Market and Regulatory Trends in Alternative Tobacco Products’ which analyses the prospects for the EU market and key global markets.

The panel discussion ‘Power of cooperation and the ongoing challenges in the vape industry’ will see Ciprian Boboi, Director and co-founder of the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA), John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), Will Ao, Secretary General of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) and other high-ranking industry figures pick up where last year’s event left off. They will also present the importance of international collaboration and the current and future challenges in the vaping industry. How the nicotine pouches segment is developing will be discussed in the panel ‘What the future holds for nicotine pouches – Learning from Sweden: NNPA perspectives on producer responsibility and future regulation in the EU?’. Speakers will include representatives from the Nordic Nicotine Pouches Alliance (NNPA) and the Association of Swedish Snus Manufacturers.

Angelika Bauer from Messe Dortmund is up-beat about the follow-up festival, emphasising: “Right from its début last year, EVO NXT has established itself as a key forum for the NGP industry. We’ve created a unique stage on which the future of the NGP industry is being shaped by its own players without neglecting the present. Our role is to provide a forum for leading experts and decision-makers, and to promote dialogue. The constantly changing landscape of political regulations is one of the most significant challenges facing the NGP industry. EVO NXT is a central point of contact for gathering all essential information at an early stage. This forum serves as an essential tool for sharing ideas, forging partnerships and developing solutions to tomorrow’s challenges – a fact that has been impressively underpinned by the experiences of the past year.”

The contributions to the supporting programme will of course not only deal with political challenges, but also with the omnipresent industry topics of harm reduction, protection of minors, sustainability and cannabis. For an initial overview of the latest status of the supporting programme as it evolves, simply click here.

More details of the programme and exhibitors and further information on EVO NXT can be found on our trade show website, LinkedIn, Instagram or via newsletter.

FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE  

EVO NXT – THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FESTIVAL FOR NEXT GENERATION PRODUCTS
EVO NXT will take place from April 5 to 6, 2024 in Málaga and is the meeting place for players in the NGP industry. Manufacturers, retailers, distributors, researchers and investors, among others, will come together in Spain to discuss the current state of the industry and set the course for the future together. EVO NXT is an innovative business festival with a unique mix of information and entertainment – and therefore the perfect platform to map and support the development of an innovative industry.