Not long now until FESPA Global Print Expo in Munich. I had a chat with Event Director, Mike Ryan, at the recent Wrapfest event
Mike Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo
“We have well over 500 companies exhibiting. With no restrictions on travel, we are expecting lots of visitors in five halls and the opportunities for some great conversations and business to be done.”
There are a host of special features at the show (check them out here). However, I was keen to ask Mike about the new Personalisation Experience Conference, (more details here).
“We are really excited about this conference-led activity. We have three days of great content. Personalisation is an area that offers significant opportunities for the print market. All the personalisation companies taking part in the conference will also be exhibiting and they are all brand new to FESPA. We are so excited by this – it’s going to be a major highlight of this year’s show.”
He continues,
“Many sign and print businesses already have all the equipment and machinery they need to produce personalised goods, but they need help with the front-end software and the ability to take and process orders. This is where the personalisation companies come in. They can help facilitate the experience and they are here and ready to share their knowledge and talk to visitors about how they can help.”
“We are looking at four key areas for personalisation. We’re looking at the textile decoration, sportswear and apparel market; we are looking at interior design and customisation, particularly in the hotel industry; labels and packaging; and the fourth element is about loyalty and how to ensure customers buy once and then buy again in the future.”
Wrap Masters
Regarding the connection between Wrapfest and FESPA, Mike explains, “We have been hosting Wrap Masters since 2010 with the aim of focusing on the vehicle wrapping industry and bringing the market together. We always want to do something innovative and unique where the industry can learn and support each other and… here you have it – Wrapfest has been born. It’ been two years in the planning and here we are at Silverstone, the home of British motor sport, with the UK and Ireland Wrap Masters competition, with the winner going to the World Final at FESPA in Munich.”
“As well as the competition, we have two big halls and two demo areas in the racing pit galleries, where the media suppliers and wrapping experts can demonstrate their incredible range of products. We can see companies working together and having great conversations with visitors who specialists themselves in this field and are here to learn more and identify the products and suppliers they want to work with.”
He concludes, “Most of the companies exhibiting and taking part in Wrapfest here are also going to be at FESPA. There they can present their entire range of products for the visual communications industry over four days of exciting, busy and rewarding exhibiting.”
Check out more from FESPA by visiting eyeondisplay.com and searching for FESPA. Also – head to your Apple or Android App centres and download the FESPA app. This has all the information you need to plan your visit. It even stores your badge.
