IPEX '06
IPEX fever is taking hold, and until the show you’ll find a whole host of pre-IPEX information in IR to help ensure that you have as productive, informative and enjoyable a visit as possible.

While the name IPEX is about as appealing as static nylon sheets, this Picon-owned event is a significant one for the global graphic arts industry. Evolving from the Great Exhibition of 1851, the event is regarded as one of the largest and most anticipated exhibitions in the international print calendar. Usually held every four years, IPEX not only reflects the spirit of the industry in the present, but it lays down definite markers for its future path and this year it is anticipated that the show will have 1200 exhibitors representing all aspects of the graphic arts industry.

Calm before the storm of IPEX at the NEC

All the initiatives, features and events surrounding the show have been generated and formulated by the IPEX Joint Exhibition Committee (JEC) and the IPEX Advisory Committee (IAC).

The IAC is chaired by IPEX 2006 President and Laurence Roberts (who is also Head of Graphic Systems at Agfa) and comprises suppliers, visitor companies and trade bodies. Preparations for IPEX 2006 have also involved specific steering groups made up of end-users, suppliers and industry commentators to discuss and gain feedback on key issues such as what particular areas of the UK market should be focused on, and what should be included in the Innovation theatre INNOV8 – a new major focal point for the show this year.

As the organizers of IPEX 06 stress the overriding objective of the show is to maintain the show’s position as the number one global graphic arts and publishing exhibition in 2006. To do this, IPEX has to attract the right number of visitors of the right quality – and that means creating genuinely compelling reasons to attend, including visitor features that grab people’s attention, and a targeted and focused campaign to really motivates them to come.

In total, IPEX aims to bring 74,000 delegates to the show by identifying and communicating industry issues they know they can’t ignore.

Registration
Pre-registering is something that the organizers want to push heavily and as an incentive pre-registered delegates save on the hefty £30 entrance fee, receive free show planners and save £5 when pre-ordering the IPEX catalogue

Visitors can register free of charge in advance by completing a registration form or registering online at: www.ipex.org.

If visitors do not pre-register they will have to pay a £30 entrance fee. To order registration forms call +44 (0)870 429 4592.

For after show entertaining, a reconstructed Birmingham offers a whole host of venues

Space This year IPEX has introduced a new configuration of space using 11 halls. The layout has been designed to reflect the entire workflow, from image creation through to delivery, and all aspects of the various printing and output processes. As a result, it will greatly simplify the exhibition experience for visitors, make navigation much easier and significantly reduce the distances visitors have to walk. The show has several key entry points: two from the Atrium into halls 20 and 9, two into the Piazza, one through the main entrance, and the other for visitors coming from the international airport and railway skywalk.

The new compact floor plan for IPEX 2006, combined with these key entry points, is expected to enable improved visitor flow and good exhibitor positioning throughout the halls. There are no dead ends, no halls without a route to an adjoining hall and there are catering facilities in every hall, which means there is no need for visitors to leave the exhibition or go outside. Halls are broken into the following zones:

IPEX 2006 Initiatives
For 2006, IPEX has launched a number of new initiatives to ensure the exhibition reflects the dynamics of the industry and gives visitors a genuine insight into the future. Each initiative has a specific objective in terms of attracting, informing and entertaining visitors.

INNOV8 Theatre
Innovation is the main theme of IPEX and the focal point of the show will be in the unique, purpose-built, 200-seat Innovation Theatre in Hall 10, adjacent to Hall 9. INNOV8 will host expert briefings on different countries and sectors every morning of the show.

Afternoons will see keynote speakers from print business leaders, round table sessions, networking events, interactive debates and live interviews with pioneering companies. With the spotlight fixed on innovation, visitors will get the inside track on making their businesses more profitable.

For example, visitors can gaze into the future with Bernhard Schreier, CEO, Heidelberg; Antonio M. Perez, CEO and President, Kodak; Vyomesh Joshi, Executive Vice President, Imaging and Printing Group, HP and Armando Zagalo de Lima, President, Xerox Europe among many other industry leaders.

International days
After extensive discussions with relevant bodies, IPEX has put together a series of customised visitor programmes. With visitors from over 140 countries expected, each day of IPEX will focus on a different region – or regions – of the world.

A set of region-specific packages has been assembled, comprising:

• Buyer trips

• Welcome receptions in the INNOV8 theatre, supported by UKTI

• Translator services

• Industry briefings and case studies in the INNOV8 theatre

• Food and drink options

• Relevant signage

Guidance for exhibitors
International Days timetable:

Sector-specific Days With so much innovation in so many sectors of the industry, IPEX is helping visitors find the products and services they need by highlighting the latest trends on different days of the show. Each day, INNOV8 will be the venue for expert debates, presentations and case studies focusing on particular industry sectors to give specialist visitors a deeper understanding of the trends and technologies that most affect them.

IPEX 06, the perfect place to do business

Places at INNOV8 will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis. Visitors will be able to pre-book tickets on the IPEX website, and once at the show, SMS text messages will be used to remind them of their booking.

Free Technical Training
Sometimes senior managers can sometimes be reluctant to let their staff leave the workplace – even for an event as important as IPEX. But these staff are often key figures in the specification and purchasing process and a visit to IPEX will bring real benefits to their company. To make their experience even more valuable – and provide a powerful additional reason to attend – IPEX has introduced a full programme of free, high quality technical training. Subjects include business improvement, print finishing, managing conflict and health and safety, and will be led by professional trainers from Vision in Print, Polestar, BPIF, Amicus GPM Sector and key suppliers qualified trainers. The Sessions will be held in the training centre off the show floor, and on exhibitors’ stands The Programme has been designed by the industry, for the industry and attendees gain accreditation from BPIF and their YMP Personal Development Programme scheme.

Flexible Packaging Focus
The Flexible Packaging Centre of Excellence is a large, purpose built theatre in Hall 1 – among the relevant exhibitors that will play host to customer and supplier best practice case studies. The 30-minute case studies will demonstrate how manufacturers’ innovations in machinery, software, materials or services have helped their customers reduce costs, improve quality and win new business.

The Flexible Packaging Centre of Excellence has been introduced in response to the growing importance of flexible packaging within the packaging market and the print industry as a whole.

New Product Trails
New product trails pinpointing the latest products and applications will underline the industry’s own commitment to developing and improving its overall offer across all the main categories. Designed as a series of convenient handheld guides for on-site reference, individual trails will also be published online, and in either format will be of highly practical assistance in guiding visitors around the show.

Matchmaking service for agents and distributors
Both pre-show and at-show, IPEX has developed sure-fire ways of bringing the right people together for networking and business deals.

By registering at www.ipex.org agents and distributors join a database that is searchable by country, region, area of interest and so on. This service will only be available to IPEX exhibitors and will go live in January 2006.

At Ipex itself, a special drinks reception will be held on Monday 10th April in the INNOV8 theatre, when all agents and exhibitors who have used the online service will be able to meet their contacts face-to-face.

Birmingham – a happening city
Birmingham has certainly smartened up its act in recent years thanks to an ongoing £9billion regeneration programme that has not only preserved its proud industrial and civic heritage, but also introduced an array of modern facilities.

Birmingham can be defined as a city of five distinct areas.

The Central Quarter is the heart of the city, including museums, shopping and business district.

Eastside is the city’s newest designated quarter, with a focus on learning.

The Chinese Quarter is in fact a melting pot of cultures and attractions among other things the city’s greatest concentration of Irish pubs.

The Convention Quarter includes the International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall, the National Indoor Arena, the canal side buildings of Brindleyplace, the nightlife of Broad Street and the Mailbox retail and leisure development.

The Jewellery Quarter is home to Europe’s largest collection of jewellery businesses and the entire quarter has been designated a Conservation area.

With over 500 restaurants offering virtually every cuisine under the sun from which to choose, Birmingham is certain to be able to satisfy even the most jaded palate.

Whether it be a tour of the City’s famous ‘Balti Triangle’, a romantic canal-side dinner for two in the chic Brindley place area, or an evening spent in Birmingham’s lively Chinatown, your time out away from the NEC is sure to make your IPEX 2006 experience all the more enjoyable.

For more info visit: www.ipex.org

Learn more about the IPEX preview issues.

Other previews: