Business News
TOTAL PRINT! EXPO PREDICTS SUCCESSFUL SHOW WILL HELP BUILD CONFIDENCE IN TOUGH CLIMATE
Friday 03. October 2008 - IIR has declared Total Print! Expo a winner even before the doors open at Earls Court 2 in London on Tuesday 14th October. The London show has always been an accurate industry bellwether of market buoyancy and confidence levels. Despite challenging general trading conditions, the strong line up of leading suppliers promises a busy event attracting visitors from a wide cross section of the industry.
Interestingly, while print companies remain the largest group of visitors, the growing trend for short run print being produced directly by users is shown by significant growth in visitors from education, finance, government, retail, leisure and corporate inplant sectors. Visitor research highlights the main areas of interest and concern for printers this year are: environmental issues, design for recycling, materials costs, competition from clients and cost effective production techniques. As a result IIR and its seminar partners have devised a full programme of educational events at the show giving visitors the opportunity to mix and match topics to their suit their specific interests.
“It’s vital for printing companies now more than ever, to face this economic challenge with innovation, confidence and enthusiasm,” says Michael Johnson, Chief Executive, BPIF. “Events like this bring businesses together and give us all the inspiration we need in a very competitive market place”.
Over 100 leading suppliers are showcasing hundreds of latest products at Total Print! Expo, with more than 30 new systems making their UK debut. The strong support of the show from manufacturers shows the continued importance of exhibitions. “Yes you can get information from web sites and by visiting showrooms, but shows are a fantastic opportunity to get all the information you need in just a few days at in a single venue. There is always the “not to be missed” opportunity of an unexpected encounter with people or products. The value of this serendipity can be huge for exhibitors and visitors alike,” says George Clarke, Chairman of the PICON manufacturers association, and MD of Heidelberg UK. “The show experience has certainly changed and for the better. Total Print! Expo is a good example, a multi-layered industry experience combining the country’s top suppliers showing the latest developments, expert seminars, topical debates, and the all important opportunity to network at and after the show.”
Total Print! Expo has its sights firmly fixed on serving the short run print market and, over the last 3 years, it has evolved from a digital only focus to presenting all types of short run print technologies. “To provide a successful business event that answers the rapidly changing needs of an evolving industry has been a daunting challenge every year”, says Richard Gayle, Exhibition Director. “But, once again, with the fantastic support of suppliers, associations, magazines, and all the expert speakers at our many educational sessions, we are looking forward to another great show.”