Business - Events

The organisers of Ipex 2010 have launched IpexTV – a new section on Ipex’s website (www.ipex.org) to engage with both its exhibitor and visitor communities in a more creative and interactive way. Starting in November, the Ipex team will upload regular ‘video-blogs’ to communicate news about Ipex 2010 initiatives, visitor and exhibitor updates as well as broadcast short interviews with prominent industry figures.

What’s more, IpexTV is open to anyone who would like to provide feedback on what Ipex means to them. The organisers are challenging the international print community to use their mobile phones, digital video cameras or webcams to tell them about their objectives for visiting Ipex, expectations of the upcoming event or general thoughts about the show. Anyone interested in participating should go to www.ipex.org/meanstoyou to find out more.

The most creative videos will be posted on the Ipex website so peers will be able to comment and vote on the clips. Videos with the most votes will be put to a final and the winner will receive a VIP Ipex experience

Comments Nick Craig Waller, Ipex 2010 Marketing Director: “Following the revamp of our website with a number of enhanced features for visitors and exhibitors, our web traffic has gone through the roof, indicating the importance of ipex.org as an important planning and research tool. Now we’re going one step further with IpexTV.

“From choice, innovation, knowledge to business opportunities, Ipex means a lot of different things to different people. While there is a fun element to IpexTV, there is also a more serious message here. For the success of Ipex, it is absolutely crucial that we keep our ears to the ground and communicate as much feedback from all our stakeholders with regards to the event. Ipex TV is another vehicle to achieve exactly that by encouraging greater communication throughout the industry.”

Following the speedy spread and development of social media, the Ipex team has already begun to embrace various platforms successfully by building online communities on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter where their dedicated groups discuss Ipex-related questions. In addition, the team uses these sites to conduct quick surveys and keep followers informed about the latest event developments, updates and news.

“With Ipex being an event where new technology comes to life – many prototypes seen at drupa will become commercially available at Ipex – it’s only appropriate that we should embrace technology in the run up to the show which will further allow us to keep an open dialogue with as many international groups in the industry as possible”, Nick Craig Waller concludes.

Sign & Digital UK announce launch of the new show website

Sign & Digital UK is delighted to be able to reveal a new website, complementing the evolution of the show’s branding with the aim of having an ‘easy to use’ website improving the exhibitors and visitors show experience.

With the re-structure of the website, this new and improved service is geared towards bringing the introductions of new show features, such as the NEW Demo / Software theatre, to your attention.

The site will continue to bring the latest exhibitor news / launches, FREE seminar programme - including the return of the popular ADOBE sessions and other important show information to your fingertips.

In addition the new website features that have been added will help you make the most of your visit to the show – see the NEW ‘Special Offers’ page, where visitors can come to the show to get the best deals, a link so you can follow us on the social networking site Twitter and an improved ‘plan your day’ section that offers the visitor more in depth search criteria to allow them to personalize and plan their visit.

This ‘must attend’ event, held at the Birmingham NEC between 13-15 April 2010, remains the only proven trade show for the UK visual communications industry. To make sure that you are a part of this unique and unrivalled opportunity, REGISTER for FREE entry now by visiting www.signanddigitaluk.com.

For further information on exhibiting visit www.signanddigitaluk.com or email signanddigitaluk@fav-house.com.

Durst has become the first Innovation Partner for the Fespa 2010, the theme of which is ‘Catch the New Wave of Innovation’.

Durst marketing manager Michael Lackner said: “We are excited to be Fespa’s first-ever Innovation Partner. This sponsorship is especially meaningful for Durst, since we constantly strive to innovate and introduce new products to market year-on-year, achieving many market ‘firsts’. Fespa trade shows are the ideal platform to launch products, as they are an important meeting place for innovative printers and help stimulate valuable debate, providing us with important input.”

The surfing theme of Fespa 2010 is seen as a logical follow-on from the ‘Revolution’ theme of Fespa Digital 2009. Sales and marketing director Marcus Timson said: “Surfers are bold and brave, thrilled by fresh challenges, undeterred by bad conditions and always eager to get out there and catch the next wave.  For them, every day brings new opportunities, and even with the occasional wipe-out, they enjoy the ride and learn from the experience.

“As the global economy gradually emerges from this crushing recession, the key to sustainable growth lies in our ability to continue to innovate. Whether this means investing in new technologies, creating new niches, exploring unusual applications, devising fresh approaches to old processes and challenges, or developing new business models or go-to-market strategies, Fespa 2010 will inspire the printing community to innovate in order to survive and thrive.”

Fespa 2010 takes place in Munich, Germany from 22 - 26 June 2010.

FESPA’s flagship global event promises to be the ultimate showcase of innovation and inspiration for digital, screen and textile printers

The new cross media campaign for FESPA 2010 invites printers worldwide to ‘Catch the New Wave of Innovation’ at the show, which takes place in Munich, Germany from 22- 26 June 2010.

FESPA 2010’s ‘Innovation’ theme is a logical step forward from the ‘Revolution’ story which captivated exhibitors and visitors at FESPA Digital 2009 in Amsterdam, according to FESPA Sales & Marketing Director Marcus Timson. He explains: “As the global economy gradually emerges from this crushing recession, the key to sustainable growth lies in our ability to continue to innovate. Whether this means investing in new technologies, creating new niches, exploring unusual applications, devising fresh approaches to old processes and challenges, or developing new business models or go-to-market strategies, FESPA 2010 will inspire the printing community to innovate in order to survive and thrive.”

The fresh, vibrant and fashionable surfing imagery that runs through the FESPA 2010 campaign embodies this spirit of innovation. Timson says: “Surfers are bold and brave, thrilled by fresh challenges, undeterred by bad conditions and always eager to get out there and catch the next wave. For them, every day brings new opportunities, and even with the occasional wipe-out, they enjoy the ride and learn from the experience.”

“Regardless of their business, we’d like visitors to FESPA 2010 to come with the same attitude, to be inspired and provoked by what they see at the show, and to leave invigorated to climb back on board and see where the next wave might take their business. Among surfers, ‘the Big One’ is the ultimate wave: among the global imaging community, the Big One in 2010 is FESPA.”

For the first-time ever, FESPA will have an Innovation Partner for the event. Durst’s Marketing Manager Michael Lackner comments: “We are excited to be FESPA’s first-ever Innovation Sponsor. This sponsorship is especially meaningful for Durst, since we constantly strive to innovate and introduce new products to market year-on-year, achieving many market ‘firsts’ including white ink printing. FESPA trade shows are the ideal platform to launch products, as they are an important meeting place for innovative printers and help stimulate valuable debate, providing us with important input.”

The five-day show is set to be the largest showcase of global product innovations the marketplace has ever seen, blending screen and digital output, as well as a newly branded dedicated garment decoration event called FESPA Fabric . In addition, the richest programme yet of FESPA satellite events, educational activities, knowledge-sharing initiatives and networking opportunities will give visitors the ultimate business event experience.

It seems odd posting news about ourselves, but Ho Hum, it is news, and it offers all Sign & Digital UK 2010 exhibitors an opportunity to put themselves in our shop window for free, so here goes...

Large Format Review are delighted to announce our partnership with the UK’s premier sign making and digital printing event, Sign & Digital UK 2010.

As an official Show Supporter, LFR will be working together for the first time with the Sign & Digital UK team to actively promote the features, benefits and attractions available to visitors to the show.

There is a genuine belief here at LFR that the Sign & Digital UK 2010 event could be busier than ever this year, with visitors there to close deals, do business and take advantage of the various offers and incentives that the show is now renowned for.

In terms of such promotional activity, LFR would also like to encourage all of the shows exhibitors to take advantage of the LFR News Portal by sending us, along with the show team, any news of developments, product launches and offers that you will be rolling out in the run up to the show.

To take full advantage of this facility, all you need do is send your news to newsdesk@largeformatreview.com, and if the news is of relevance to our readership, it will be showcased on the LFR website, and indeed be included in our weekly news bulletin that is now distributed by email to over 16,000 sign and display print professionals.

Large Format Review will also be exhibiting at the show themselves (Stand M24), and we are very much looking forward to welcoming our website users onto our stand for live demonstrations of some of the new site features and content that is being developed in time for launch at the show.

With exhibitors taking over 55,000m2 of floorspace and pre-registration fast reaching 6,000, Ipex 2010 is set to become a highlight in the international graphic arts event calendar next year.

All major suppliers have agreed location of their stands and some exhibitors have even increased the size of their stands. In particular, Konica Minolta has increased its footprint by 400%; Océ by 110%; Canon by 91%; Pitney Bowes by 64%; Fuji by 53%; HP by 40% and Ultrachem by 16%.

Over half (55%) of the exhibitors will come from overseas, notably from Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, France, India, USA and China. The show will also see a significant number of first-time exhibitors; over a quarter of companies have never participated at the event thus reflecting the status of Ipex as an international launch pad to the graphic arts industry. For example, printing solutions provider Ricoh will be a prime stand holder for the first time, occupying an impressive 1,400sqm stand.

40% of floorspace will be dedicated to pre-press and digital solutions suppliers, whilst press manufacturers and post-press companies will occupy 34% and 26% of the exhibition respectively.

Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2010 Event Director, says: “We’re absolutely delighted with the number of companies we’ve secured so far. Economic times may be uncertain but the global print industry is once again demonstrating its commitment to Ipex. This truly international event will feature around 1,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries representing all aspects of the graphic arts process including pre-press, press manufacture, post-press, converting and consumables, truly reflecting our vibrant industry.

“Ipex has ongoing partnerships with the industry’s supplier base and a proven capability to deliver a unique community of printers and publishers drawn from all across the world. Visitors can expect to see major technology advances and signposts to future developments with exhibiting companies committed to demonstrating working machinery on the showfloor.”

The wave of pre-registrations received also signposts towards a successful Ipex 2010. Compared to the same point in the run-up to Ipex 2006, this number has risen by over 1,045% for the 2010 show. Visitors from over 100 countries have pre-registered to date, with 75% from Europe, 12% from Asia, and 10% from Middle East and Africa.

Pre-registration for all those wishing to attend Ipex 2010 is now available via www.ipex.org/register and will result in a £30 saving off the entrance fee, access to exclusive pre-show news and highlights as well as free fast-track entry to the show.