Print.IT Reseller - issue 47

01732 759725 14 EXHIBITIONS The Print Show launched at the NEC in 2015 and remained at the Birmingham venue for 2016, before switching to Telford this year. This year’s show attracted a total of 5,335 visitors across the three days with the middle day seeing a significant proportion of the overall total. Event Director Chris Davies said the return to the NEC in 2018 offers another exciting opportunity for the event to expand and grow. “Telford was fantastic for us this year and from the feedback we have had from exhibitors and visitors, it seems the feeling was very much mutual,” he said, adding: “It was a finely balanced decision, but moving back to the NEC for next year is the latest step in our ongoing growth strategy, as we seek out new exhibitors and work with returning companies to deliver exactly what they want out of appearing at the show.” Positive feedback from major brands Although plans for next year’s event are still being drawn up, HP, which exhibited for the first time this year, signed up shortly before the end of the third day, confirming a 140 sq. m. stand for the 2018 show. Speaking on the final day of the show, Charlie MacGregor of Brand Management Group, a business partner of HP, said that the event was a big success for the company, adding that there had been plenty of footfall on the stand. “We’re very pleased with how the show has gone; we’ve got a lot of good leads, but perhaps more importantly, we have got people thinking about what HP can do for their print business,” he commented. Another company that had success at The Print Show 2017 is Konica Minolta. The This year’s edition of The Print Show which ran from October 11 to 13 at the International Centre in Telford was hailed a success by organisers, exhibitors and visitors alike. The 2018 event will return to the NEC in Birmingham from September 18 to 20. The Print Show confirms NEC return for 2018 digital print heavyweight has supported the event since year one. Senior Marketing Manager Bernard Cassidy said that the manufacturer was able to attract plenty of interest in its new kit at the event. He added: “It’s been a really good few days for us. We’ve had plenty of positive conversations with new and potential customers, and we’ve had a lot of interest in our new kit, particularly the AccurioPress C6100. People have been blown away by what the machine can do.” Mark Szeliga, National Sales Manager, Canon UK said the company generated a high level of interest in its new UVgel technology, which was shown on an Océ Colorado 1640. Canon also displayed an Océ VarioPrint 6000 Titan monochrome printer alongside other kit. Szeliga stated: “It’s been nice to see a lot of familiar faces but also to meet people that we haven’t spoken with before and make them aware of our technology. We have had a steady flow of visitors on the stand across the three days and we have been able to get plenty of good leads.” Elsewhere, OKI opted to take a different approach to The Print Show this year by taking a smaller stand in order for a number of reseller partners to have a larger presence at the event. Marketing Manager Andrew Hall said the strategy paid off, with its partners reporting a number of key sales at the show. Hall expanded: “We have had sales during the show, including a number of the ColorPainter E-64s models. We’ve also had a lot of interest in the Pro9542 and spoken to plenty of people that are genuinely thinking about investing in OKI kit, and that’s great for us.” OKI reseller RGBuk confirmed sales of OKI Colorpainter E-64s eco-solvent 60” printers and Graphtec FC8600-160 60” cutters, among other kit. The firm also reported strong interest in the Canon iPF Pro 6000, which launched at the show together with the Roland TrueVIS VG and SG range of print and cut solutions. Such was the success of the event this year that Chris Hope, Marketing Director for RGBuk confirmed that the company will definitely be returning in 2018. He said: “It is always hard to predict the amount of interest you may get at a show, but The Print Show has yet proved again it is important to get in front of companies that are interested in purchasing new equipment. “The Print Show allows you to demonstrate the benefits customers can expect to enable increased innovation, quality, and production. We’ll certainly be returning to The Print Show in 2018,” he added. Charity benefit While much of the action was on the show floor, the evening of the middle day also saw The Print Show stage its special gala dinner. Attendees were treated to a three-course meal with entertainment from a jazz band and an after-party that went on into the early hours. A charity raffle also took place and the top prize of a racing experience day at Silverstone, the UK’s most famous motorsport venue, went to Richard Fyson, director of Smart Print. Fyson selected Keech Hospice Choice as the recipient of the charity raffle funds, which totalled £1,560. www.theprintshow.co.uk The Print Show allows you to demonstrate the benefits customers can expect to enable increased innovation, quality, and production