The US trade show returns to Las Vegas with an expanded Student Day, dedicated AI Pavilion, Taktiful embellishment tours, and new mental health initiatives.
PRINTING United Alliance has unveiled an expanded feature schedule for PRINTING United Expo 2026, incorporating new educational zones, peer-to-peer business support, workforce development, and targeted technology tours. Returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center from 23 to 25 September, the event spans 1 million square feet of exhibition space, featuring over 800 exhibitors across commercial, apparel, packaging, wide format, and industrial print sectors.
Reflecting market adoption of automated workflows, the show floor will host the PRINTING AI Pavilion, a dedicated zone focusing on artificial intelligence, workflow automation, GPU-native rendering, and process control. The exhibition will also see the return of the Embellishment Technology Tour, produced in strategic partnership with Taktiful. Expanded for 2026 into two separate ten-stop tracks, the programme features a Digital Production Tour in the North Hall and a newly added Wide Format Tour in the Central Hall, guiding pre-registered attendees through curated finishing and embellishment technologies.
Community and business development initiatives form a core component of this year’s show, headlined by the new Print Mastermind x Spill the Ink feature within the interactive Spill the Ink District. Spearheaded by Colin Sinclair McDermott, also known as The Online Print Coach, the initiative hosts informal peer-to-peer discussions focused on business growth, leadership, and operational challenges.
Commenting on the peer-learning initiative, Joshua Carruth, Executive Vice President of Expositions at PRINTING United Alliance, said, “At PRINTING United Expo, we’re intentional about creating experiences that bring our industry together, and Colin has been an outstanding partner in that mission. As Captain of the PRINTING United All-Stars, he’s helped foster a culture of community and shared success.”
McDermott added, “One of the things I love most about our industry is how willing people are to help each other. Print Mastermind has always been about creating a safe space where business owners can share challenges, exchange ideas, and leave with practical actions they can implement immediately.”
Addressing workforce health and wellbeing, PRINTING United Alliance has partnered with mental health initiative She*t for Brains. The collaboration includes a physical support space in the Spill the Ink District, recorded discussions in onsite podcast booths, and a dedicated breakout session examining workplace stressors, intervention strategies, and employer mental health policies.
Highlighting the importance of industry mental health support, David Rosendahl, Co-founder of Shet for Brains, stated, “PRINTING United Alliance’s inclusion of Shet for Brains at PRINTING United Expo is a monumental and necessary step for our industry. By opening space for honest conversation and concrete resources at the industry’s flagship event, the Alliance has shown leadership and compassion.”
Next-generation recruitment and workforce development features also return, with an expanded Student Day Experience providing students and educators with mentor-led booth tours, networking opportunities, and insights into print industry career pathways. Additionally, the event will host dedicated programming in partnership with the Women in Print Alliance, providing leadership development and exclusive networking sessions across the three-day exhibition.