Keynote speakers at the annual Fespa Global Summit in London this week pressed home the need for printers, and those in the wide-format space specifically, to pay more attention to integration and experimentation if the sector is to benefit from the opportunities afforded it by technological development.
The two-day event, attended by printers and print buyers from around the world, was a think-tank platform for debate ahead of Fespa 2013 which will take place 25 – 29 June at London’s ExCeL centre. Organisers say that the event is already as big and comprehensive as it was in 2010 with still five months go until the doors open. Committed space is now just under 30,000m2, equalling the final footprint of Fespa 2010 in Munich.
The South Hall of the ExCeL exhibition centre, which has a 100% digital focus, is now sold out, with many digital exhibitors having increased their stand space compared with 2010. The top ten exhibitors in 2013 are HP, Canon (incorporating Océ), Agfa, Durst, EFI, Fujifilm, Orafol, Mimaki, Kornit and M&R. The ten largest stands at Fespa 2013 will collectively occupy 15.5% more stand space than the top ten in 2010.
Fespa expects the final layout of the show to firmly emphasise the dominance of digital, while the event still offers a strong screen printing line-up. Textile printing remains a focus for the event, with more than 102 exhibitors showing textile printing applications, and the 6,500m2 Fespa Fabric feature on the show floor specifically designed to meet the needs of garment printers and decorators.
Fespa 2013 in London will have various features. Located in the North Hall is the Jet Set conference compiled of nine half-day free sessions addressing key areas of opportunity for print companies. The Print Inspiration Runway, a collection of inspiring prints provided by printers and exhibiting companies, will show how effective print can be across a variety of applications. And Creative Corner will target designers, creative and brand directors by showcasing what print can do.
Additional areas of interest include:
- Print Shop Live! This will take participants through wide-format print technologies from pre-press to production to finishing.
- Wrap Cup Masters ‘World Cup Final’. The event will take place across four days, with the final taking place over two days where winners from the regional shows since 2010 will compete for the global title. Global wrap experts will also be on hand to offer training to budding vehicle wrappers.
- Promotional Products Business Academy (PPBA). This is a new feature for 2013 and will provide a market-entry brief to promotional products.
- Pilots Briefing Zone. Located next to Fespa Fabric this will include sessions specifically on garment decoration.
And of course there will be the Hall of Fame, which highlights the ‘who’s who’ of leading printers across the global print community.
www.fespa.com/london