Business News
Revitalised North Print & Pack 2013 enters new era with wider industry reach
Monday 31. December 2012 - Informa Exhibitions officially launches North Print and Pack 2013, previously known as Northprint, which will take place from 14th-16th May 2013 in Harrogate. Responding to the interest in wider industry coverage at the event, organisers have added a further dimension to North Print & Pack by including print for packaging.
The 2013 event is not only launched with a new name, but promises to deliver more content, products and advice than ever before to help printers develop their business into new areas. Working presses will return to the show floor for the first time since 2007. K2 International, MGI and Printers Superstore/Hans Gronhi already confirmed that they will exhibit full working presses on the show floor, a welcome addition for visitors who have shown a real appetite to see it return over the past few years.
Exhibitors and visitors alike can explore new areas of the show, which promises to deliver an industry-wide opportunity to network, view the latest technologies, explore fresh applications, and participate in customer case study demonstrations, workshops and seminars.
“There are two key drivers behind our reasons for expanding the event reach and revitalising the name: in 2011, an increasing number of exhibitors were showing print on packaging applications, while a significant percentage of our visitors were looking to invest in these solutions,” comments Mary Buck, Sales Manager of North Print & Pack 2013. “Commitment from EFIA as a key partner of the event, together with early confirmations from K2 International and Edale, reinforce the appetite to exhibit in the UK. And, since the flexo industry hasn’t had a dedicated national show to showcase new technologies and machinery since 2005, it is therefore the logical decision for us to broaden the focus of the show and instigate this name change to reflect the changing nature of our exhibitor and visitor requirements.”
Jessica Gong, Marketing Communications Executive at Edale, says: “As UK manufacturers of web fed flexo printing presses and converting equipment, it is important for Edale to support UK based events. We view North Print & Pack 2013 not only as a place to meet potential customers but also as a base to meet up with current customers, suppliers and industry friends. We were keen to support North Print & Pack 2013 because the new focus and angles that the show is promoting is in fitting with Edale’s strategy moving forward. It has had a new lease of life pumped into it and we are thrilled to be taking part.”
To compliment more than 125 exhibitors at the show, North Print & Pack 2013 will present a content rich event format, featuring free seminars, case studies, advice clinics and onsite training to inspire and educate visitors. Key features include The Knowledge Centre, an application showcase to encompass wide format, packaging and cross media, Exhibitor/Visitor ‘speed dating’ and The Hosted Buyer Programme for buyers to meet with exhibitors at the show.
Visitors to North Print & Pack 2013 will see a big focus on educational content. The Knowledge Centre will run four dedicated conference streams, each of them offering education, practical support and training: The Printers Profit Zone, Printers Future Blueprint, Thinking Outside the Box – Pack & POS and Marketing at Internet Speed.
The Printers Profit Zone, hosted by The Print Coach, Nick Devine, will provide a series of business growth seminars, offering practical advice on how to win new business and maximise profitability. It will also tackle critical sales, profit and market issues that are faced by print businesses today.
The Printers Future Blueprint, Thinking Outside the Box – Pack & POS, and Marketing at Internet Speed conference streams will be moderated by Printfuture. Each stream will see dedicated conference sessions that will focus on current industry issues and trends, providing delegates with the opportunity to gain valuable insight into this fast evolving industry.
“For visitors, it is not just about seeing new applications and the latest technologies – North Print & Pack 2013 will deliver a much broader event that includes training and skills development,” says Mary. “In 2011, we introduced a seminar programme that proved extremely successful, and we will now develop even further. Content, learning and personal development will be a key element of the event to compliment exhibitors’ application showcase, and the addition of our conference programmes and other key features will contribute to ensure a rich visitor experience.”
Adding to the attraction of the event, the finalists of PrintIT! will gather at North Print & Pack 2013 to attend the initiative’s 8th Annual Awards Ceremony. Celebrating the best of Britain’s young talent, the Proskills award-winning programme, PrintIT!, will honour all the finalist students and their teachers, and will present category winners with individual awards as well as prizes for their schools in the form of print-related equipment. Prior to the ceremony, students, their teachers and twinning printers will have the opportunity to visit the exhibitors and other industry attractions to gain further insight into the UK print industry’s various career opportunities.
Exhibitors that has already confirmed their attendance include Alphasonics, Autobond, Clinical Print Finishers, Compact Foiler, Crawford Technologies, D&K, Duplo, Edale, IFS, Imprint Business Solutions, IST, K2 International, MGI, Moll Accura, Perfect Bindery Solutions, Printers Superstore/Hans Grohni, Renz, Swemko Knife, Technotrans, Terry Cooper Services and Tharsten.
Northprint 2011 bounced back strongly from a recession-hit 2009 show, and recorded a 40% rise in attendance. Exhibitors praised the seniority and decision-making status of the 2,350 visitors plus exhibitors, press and repeat visitors who were drawn from all parts of the country around 60% from the North and the remaining 40% from the Midlands and the South.
The North Print & Pack 2013 website can be visited at www.northprintexpo.com