Season of big shows and bagging their benefits

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Gone are the days of virtual meetings. Today, we come to know that attendee engagements in any virtual event were far inferior to traditional in-person events and exhibitions. Yet discussions and opinions are buzzing around about the recovery of sales affected by the pandemic, because after the dulled vibes of subsequent lockdowns we are now on the track to connecting with peers and regaining losses through these big shows like drupa 2024 around.

Exceeding all expectations, drupa 2024 remarkably demonstrated the progress now going on in each and every segment of the industry. It witnessed the wholesome revitalisation of the industry. Outstanding showcases of the latest machines, technologies, innovations, and trends from the world’s leading signage and wide-format printing brands thrilled the trade visitors who eventually got instilled with new ideas and clear prospects to hasten business. Technological innovations inspired everyone at the show, both visitors and exhibitors alike.

International share of trade visitors at drupa 2024 was around 80 percent, in which Asia marked the most strongly presented continent with 22 percent, just next to Europe. Significant presence of Indian trade visitors was also witnessed on all days of the 11-day show. In fact, this one and only mega show for the entire printing industry stood for new approaches and new technologies, rather ahead of the industry’s most other shows around the world.

Then again, despite drupa being the most expansive global platform where players from all segments of the industry gather after a long interval, for the signage and graphic arts industry here is another niche yet prolific show—FESPA. With its global as well as regional editions in Middle East, Africa, Brazil, Eurasia and UK, FESPA exclusively stands for helping the signage and graphic arts community with newer perspectives of advanced technologies, specialty printing, innovative displays, visual communication, and more.

Generally stayed ahead of usual signage shows, FESPA always co-locates with allied shows revolving around personalisation, special applications like sportswear and many others. Such highly heterogeneous nature of the show eventually offers its visitors everything from sustainable printing to wrapping and educational sessions. Exhibitors from India are increasingly prominent in every edition of FESPA, which is currently poised to be the most determined networking place for the signage community to drive the market forward together.

As we customarily do in every issue, our travelling bandwagon had visited Hyderabad for the Region Exclusive story. A select group of sign makers and print service providers whom we interacted during our two-day trip to the city shared their success stories which they say is an outcome of the best-in-class machines and materials they use and cordial support they receive from their suppliers or manufacturers. They wish to write more such success stories further.

Sonal Khurana
sonal@smediagroup.in