LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Surfs Up For FESPA 2010!
Wednesday 23. June 2010 - Flagship wide-format show opens with best-everline up of exhibitors and events
Would-be waveriders from the global imaging community are making their way to Munich this week to catch the new wave of innovation at FESPA 2010, the most comprehensive FESPA event ever.
FESPA 2010 covers five entire halls of Messe Munich, 25% larger than FESPA 2005 in the same venue, with over 700 exhibiting companies and around 30,000m2 (net) of exhibition space.
The show matches the last flagship global FESPA event in Berlin in 2007, both in terms of exhibitor numbers and square meterage. Growth has been most significant in the digital section of the show, which is now the largest showcase of digital wide format printing solutions in the world.
The event is divided into clearly signposted Digital, Screen and Fabric zones, addressing the needs of visitors from all geographical regions, producing all types of printed products and at all stages of their technological evolution.
Exhibitor numbers underline growing interest in FESPA as the market-leading event for wide format professionals. The exhibitor line-up includes all the industrys leading players presenting hundreds of groundbreaking product and service innovations, along with more than 100 first-time FESPA exhibitors. 30% of the floor space is occupied by suppliers of materials and inks, emphasising the growing importance of these elements in the development of innovative wide format applications.
FESPA Managing Director Frazer Chesterman comments: “FESPA 2010 is by far the most significant event worldwide embracing screen and digital processes, and the full gamut of commercial and industrial applications. It provides the perfect environment for printers evaluating how to adapt their business to an altered climate, a changing work profile and shifting customer needs. Signs are that the economic storm is blowing over, and the swell of optimism in our community is gathering momentum day by day. Our own campaign for the show has urged printers to innovate out of the downturn, and those investing their time to visit FESPA 2010 will find all the input they need to plan for a productive and profitable future.”
FESPA 2010 mirrors the diversity of todays blended wide-format production environments. With 150 exhibitors, screen printing occupies an entire hall, while digital technologies have expanded to fill three halls at the show, reflecting the industrys dramatic progress to digital production since the last FESPA to be held in Munich, back in 2005.
For the first time at FESPA 2010, the specific needs and interests of garment printers are being met with a dedicated event within an event under the new FESPA Fabric banner, bringing together more than 180 exhibitors in this area alone, and offering a dedicated educational programme and Fabric Live! fashion show.
Visitor pre-registrations via www.fespa2010.com in advance of the show exceeded 35,000 from 125 countries with more than 60% interest coming from delegates who had not previously attended a FESPA event.
The cool surfing theme which has dominated the marketing campaign for FESPA 2010 is reflected throughout the show, with the striking wave structure and graphics of FESPAs own stand (A 269) and the two Innovation Theatres sure to catch the eye of all visitors. Show-goers are met in the Messe entrance atrium by a team of FESPA Lifeguards offering information and pointers on how to make the most of their visit. The Surf Shack is the place to buy a limited edition T-shirt as a memento of the show, with the proceeds going to FESPAs chosen pancreatic-cancer charity.
An action-packed timetable of FESPA Innovate! events is running alongside the exhibition, offering FESPA surfers the chance to take part in inspirational and informative sessions on dozens of topics ranging from planet-friendly printing to digital signage, from direct-to-garment to workflow automation.
The FESPA team has gathered together more than 80 independent industry experts from dozens of specialist fields to share their knowledge and insights with FESPA visitors in debates, presentations, workshops, and seminars, and the FESPA stand and Innovation Theatres will be a big draw for visitors looking to plot their path for future success.
FESPAs printed pocket guide, Innovate! Programme, is available around the show. It offers an at-a-glance summary of this exciting satellite event programme designed to help printers apply innovation to their business. Thats also the driver for FESPAs 60 Minutes to Innovate session hosted by FESPA executives Frazer Chesterman and Marcus Timson. Those looking for more visual stimulation will find it in the FESPA 2010 Awards gallery in the main atrium, and the FESPA Wrap Cup will deliver some high-speed vehicle wrapping action.
Frazer Chesterman concludes: “We anticipate that FESPA 2010 will be the most significant global meeting of wide format printers ever. Although FESPAs international community connects in hundreds of ways throughout the year, our shows remain the most powerful way for our members and their suppliers to share innovation, network and learn from each other. Were looking forward to an awesome week here in Munich, and hope that FESPA 2010 will be remembered as the wide format industrys springboard to success.”