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EXHIBITIONS
42
The Print
Show is going
to be much
more than a
traditional
commercial
print show
Taking place for the first time at
Birmingham’s National Exhibition
Centre from October 13-15 2015,
The Print Show was inspired by
key challenges facing the industry,
notably the lack of an annual
exhibition.
“Speaking to members of the industry
on a regular basis, it’s clear that the print
industry and its associated market are
crying out for an event like this,”
said Event Director Chris Davies.
He argues that for too long the UK
print industry has had to rely on
international shows like IPEX and drupa,
each of which takes place every four years,
to keep up-to-date with developments in
printing and print technology.
By focusing on the UK industry every
year, The Print Show will enable UK print
professionals to experience the latest
technology and trends as they evolve and
provide a sustainable and solid platform
for companies to showcase their products.
Link Exhibitions plans to set aside a
portion of profits from the show – £1 for
every visitor – to invest in print industry
charitable and promotional projects. The
attendance target for the inaugural event
is 10,000 visitors.
Showing potential
“One of the key messages we are trying
to get over is that The Print Show is
going to be much more than a traditional
commercial print show. Although we
are expecting to attract plenty of visitors
from the commercial print market, we are
also aiming to reach out to companies
considering diversifying into this sector,”
said Davies.
“We know how attractive certain areas
of the market are to companies outside the
sector and we aim to demonstrate how
they can move into these profitable areas.
We are really focused on diversification
and recognise just how much potential
there is in the market for companies that
are keen to exploit it.”
With a 20% greater floor plan to
accommodate increased demand, Sign &
Digital is the UK’s leading trade exhibition
for the wide format digital printing, sign
making and display solution industries.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Creating
Business Connections’, a topic that will be
explored throughout the show’s product
demonstrations, theatre programs and trails.
Exhibition trails, which help highlight emerging
opportunities and revenue streams, include the
Textile Trail (textile printing and finishing) and,
new for this year, the Retail Route (retail POP and
POS display systems) and the Materials World Trail
(materials, media and substrates).
The extensive seminar line-up features a range
of expert speakers, practical demonstrations and
workshops to help industry professionals improve
their business.
Sign & Digital 2015 is free to visit.
In addition to hosting an educational
seminar programme on everything from
sales training to green print practices,
The Print Show will feature a series of
‘Diversification Zones’ where visitors can
learn from experts how to diversify into
new areas. There will also be hands-on
demonstrations of traditional print skills
and techniques using historic equipment.
The latest technology
The main focus of the exhibition itself will
be new technology.
Davies said: “The Print Show will feature
the latest equipment available to companies
operating in or hoping to move into various
market sectors. Whether that is commercial
print production or wide format print, the
show will give visitors an insight into the
latest technology and how it can help them
take advantage of work in new markets.
“We’ll have other running themes, such
as how to add value to print with special
effects and finishes, which could prove very
In a significant development for the UK print industry, Link Exhibitions has
launched The Print Show, an annual event that aims to provide commercial
printers with the tools they need to remain competitive.
The Print Show 2015:
A blueprint for the future
popular with those considering moving into
new markets. This added value is one of the
most vibrant sectors of the industry."
Hospitality events
In the run up to The Print Show, Link
Exhibitions is holding a series of events
where potential exhibitors can find out
more about the show’s aims.
Following the first of these, which
took place on November 15 at Wembley
Stadium, Ashgate Automation, an Oxford-
based supplier of print finishing equipment,
Learn2Print, one of the industry’s leading
training providers, and wide format inkjet
specialist Sign Master Systems all signed
up as exhibitors.
Diary Date
Sign & Digital 2015
–
March 24-26, NEC Birmingham •
Chris Davies, Event Director of The Print
Show, says the new event will be a vital
inclusion in the UK print calendar
The Print Show is being held at Birmingham’s National
Exhibition Centre
