SPOTLIGHTING TOMORROW’S TRAILBLAZERS IN PACKAGING
Launched in 2024, the Future Trailblazer initiative, in partnership with IOM3, celebrates rising stars who are driving innovation and shaping the future of packaging.
Wherever you are in the packaging supply chain – supplier, brand, or beyond – if you’re pushing boundaries in sustainability, artwork, engineering or more, Future Trailblazer is here to recognise you.
We’re looking for individuals in their first 10 years in the sector who are already making an impact and showing real trailblazer potential. Join a community of bold thinkers. Show us how you’re rewriting the rules – and help lead the future of packaging.
The Future Trailblazer initiative is supported by The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3). IOM3 connects professionals working in packaging, from designers to suppliers and brand owners, sharing knowledge, best practice and insights to support sustainable packaging and reduce food waste. IOM3 will be providing prizes to the winners of Future Trailblazers in the form of Affiliate Membership.
Future Trailblazer returns for the third edition in 2026. Are you ready to step forward?
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Launched in 2024, the Future Trailblazer initiative, in partnership with IOM3, celebrates rising stars who are driving innovation and shaping the future of packaging.
Wherever you are in the packaging supply chain – supplier, brand, or beyond – if you’re pushing boundaries in sustainability, artwork, engineering or more, Future Trailblazer is here to recognise you.
We’re looking for individuals in their first 10 years in the sector who are already making an impact and showing real trailblazer potential.
Join a community of bold thinkers. Show us how you’re rewriting the rules – and help lead the future of packaging.
Future Trailblazer returns for the third edition in 2026. Are you ready to step forward?
Do you have what it takes?
Launched in 2024, the Future Trailblazer initiative, in partnership with IOM3, celebrates rising stars who are driving innovation and shaping the future of packaging.
Wherever you are in the packaging supply chain – supplier, brand, or beyond – if you’re pushing boundaries in sustainability, artwork, engineering or more, Future Trailblazer is here to recognise you.
We’re looking for individuals in their first 10 years in the sector who are already making an impact and showing real trailblazer potential.
Join a community of bold thinkers. Show us how you’re rewriting the rules – and help lead the future of packaging.
Future Trailblazer returns for the third edition in 2026. Are you ready to step forward?
August 6
Entries Open
January 13
Finalists Announced
November 4
Closing Date
February 11
Winners Announced
As a Future Trailblazer you will
Be recognised as a rising star
Celebrate your success
Gain exclusive industry access
Stay visible all year long
Get connected with the right people
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Great news – eligibility is broad, because innovation knows no bounds. We’re looking to bring together the brightest rising stars from across the global packaging community. Here’s what qualifies you:
-
You’re early in your packaging journey.
You’ve been working in the packaging industry for less than 10 years. -
Your work is connected to packaging.
Whether you're a designer, developer, buyer, marketer, supplier, start-up founder, or part of operations, if your role contributes to advancing the packaging value chain, you’re exactly who we’re looking for. -
You’re based anywhere.
The awards are proudly international - no matter your country or region, you’re welcome to apply.
5 AUGUST
ENTRIES OPEN
13 JANUARY
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
4 NOVEMBER
ENTRIES CLOSE
11 FEBRUARY
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
AUGUST 6
ENTRIES OPEN
NOVEMBER 4
ENTRIES CLOSE
JANUARY 13
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
FEBRUARY 11
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
CATEGORIES
DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE
For technologists, designers, and specialists shaping the next era of packaging.
PRODUCTION DELIVERY
For engineers, packers, and production operatives turning ideas into reality at scale.
SUSTAINABLE FIRST THINKING
For sustainability pros embedding environmental innovation into packaging systems
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
For quality assurance, fulfilment, and logistics professionals ensuring packaging lands right – every time.
BRAND VISIONARY
Celebrating individuals who push the boundaries of branding, visual storytelling, and consumer-first
THE PACKAGING MVP
For all-rounders who wear multiple hats, bridge departments, and consistently go above and beyond across the packaging lifecycle.
CIRCULARITY CHAMPION
For innovators reimagining what happens to packaging after use – from recyclability and reuse to waste transformation.
COULD THIS BE YOU?
AS A FUTURE TRAILBLAZER YOU WILL
BE RECOGNISED AS A RISING STAR
CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS
GAIN EXCLUSIVE INDUSTRY ACCESS
STAY VISIBLE ALL YEAR LONG
GET CONNECTED WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
ENJOY A VIP EXPERIENCE
Be recognised as a rising star
Celebrate your success
Gain exclusive industry access
Stay visible all year long
Get connected with the right people
Be recognised as a rising star
Whether you’re driving innovation in sustainability, engineering, design, or production, this award puts you in the spotlight as one to watch.
Gain exclusive industry access
Winners will receive a one-year IOM3 membership and benefit from tailored opportunities offered by our expert judging panel.
Get connected with the right people
Join a powerful network of mentors, trailblazers, and industry leaders ready to support your journey.
Celebrate your success
You’ll be honoured with an official award and a celebration at our Prosecco Bar – because game-changers deserve to be celebrated.
Stay visible all year long
Through regular PR, features and shoutouts, we’ll help keep you front and centre in the packaging conversation.
Enjoy a VIP experience
Finalists will be treated to a VIP experience at the event, giving you exclusive access and a moment to shine in front of industry influencers.
WHAT OUR JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
I’m looking for those individuals and projects that have made a real impact in the business and pushed boundaries, whether in design, production, sustainability, marketing, operations, or beyond! It’s recognition of candidates who are helping their companies by driving change to help shape the future and thinking outside of the box!
EMMA VERKAIK, BCMPA
The industry needs individuals who understand how the industry works today but have the vision, inspiration and drive to take the industry forward into its new Industry 5.0 world. I’m looking for young talent that is making a difference to where they work, whatever that means in terms of the different business functions and culturally.
JO STEPHENSON, PHD
For me, the defining quality of a Future Trailblazer is passion. I’m looking for individuals who genuinely love what they do – those who think beyond the obvious and bring creativity to the table. It’s not just about qualifications or certificates; it’s about combining imagination with a problem-solving mindset.
GREG BENTLEY, SUNTORY
For me, a trailblazer is someone who looks to learn from and support their colleagues or their organisation, but more than that, someone who has ambition not just for themselves, but for the impact of their work on others. A Trailblazer isn’t just looking to get themselves ahead – they’re looking to make the world of packaging a better place through what they do.
PETER MACQUEEN, SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
I’m looking for people who are learning their role within the industry but bringing themselves to it and thinking differently about problems, challenges and opportunities. The industry needs diversity of thinking and problem solving and that’s what future trailblazers can help to support.
JUDE ALLAN, OPRL
Meet our community of Future Trailblazers winners
FAQ's
What are the Future Trailblazer Awards?
The Future Trailblazer Awards are all about celebrating rising talent in the packaging world. These are the people making a quiet impact right now and showing real promise for the future. If you or someone you know is starting to stand out, this is the perfect moment to get recognised.
Who can enter?
We’re looking for fresh talent from across the packaging industry. Whether you’re focused on sustainability, engineering, artwork, or anything in between, if you’re just getting started and showing potential, we want to hear from you.
Eligibility: You must be in the early stages of your packaging career.
Can I nominate some else?
Absolutely. If a colleague has been doing great work, learning fast, and showing real initiative, this is your chance to shine a spotlight on them.
When do entries close?
Entries close on November 4, 2025, so don’t leave it too late.
Is there a cost to enter?
No, it’s completely free to enter the Future Trailblazer Awards.
How long does it take to submit an entry?
The entry form takes around 20 minutes to complete. If you’ve already gathered your key info and examples, you’ll be good to go in no time.
What do the judges need to know about you?
This is your chance to tell your story. The judges want to understand not just what you’ve done so far, but what drives you and where you’re headed. Here are a few things to think about as you put your entry together:
What impact have you made?
Share the standout contributions you’ve made to your company or the packaging industry so far. Big or small, what are you proud of?What challenges do you see in the industry?
What do you think are the biggest hurdles facing the UK packaging sector today? And more importantly, how do you see yourself helping to tackle them?What obstacles have you faced?
Have you had to overcome specific challenges in your role? What did you learn, and how has it shaped the way you think about packaging?What’s your vision for the future?
Where do you think packaging is headed? How do you want to shape that future through your work and ideas?
The judges are looking for people who aren’t just doing great work, but who are also thinking bigger. If you’re someone who sees packaging as a gateway to wider industry change, this is your moment to show them what you’re made of.
How are entries judged?
A panel of experienced industry experts will review every entry carefully. They’ll be looking at your achievements so far, your skillset, your ideas, and your potential for growth in the industry.
This isn’t just about where you are now, but where you’re heading.
When will finalists and winners be announced?
Finalists will be announced in mid-January 2026
Winners will be revealed live at the Circular Economy Stage during Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025
What are some of the benefits of winning a Future Trailblazers Award?
You will be recognised as a rising star in the industry in front of leading brands and suppliers, this award puts you in the spotlight as someone who is making a difference to the packaging industry!
Also, you will recieve a one-year Affiliate Membership from The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3). This membership gets you the following benefits that will help advance your career further:
- A free of charge member magazine, Materials World.
- Access to premium web content, online databases and materials advice and information services.
- Member discounts on events, conferences, training courses, venue hire and occasional promotions such as books and publications.
- Career Appraisal for your suitability for a professional grade of IOM3 membership or professional registration.
How do I get to the awards ceremony?
The ceremony takes place at the Circular Economy Stage at Packaging Innovations & Empack in the NEC, Birmingham. We’ll confirm the exact halls soon.
To get there:
Take a direct train to Birmingham International
From the station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the NEC
We recommend using public transport if you can
Still have questions?
We’re here to help. Just reach out to a member of our team and we’ll be happy to chat things through.
“…. We want to recognise the people who are relatively new to the sector but who are already starting to show their trailblazer potential.”
Jude Allan
IOM3 Packaging Group Chair and OPRL Interim Managing Director
GET IN TOUCH
Casey McHugh
Conference & Community Manager
+44 (0)20 3935 6332
Georgina Kantor
Marketing Executive
+44 (0)2031964392
