The decision was made due to experiencing overwhelming commitment from the UK’s commercial print industry for the 2016 instalment and a surge in early reservation requests for its 2017 show from a large number of existing exhibitors keen to secure premier floorplan positions.
“The first edition of The Print Show in 2015 honestly exceeded our wildest expectations, and we are very far ahead of where we were in February last year in terms of bookings, planning, and the implementation of our multi-channel marketing strategy,” explains Chris Davies, event director of The Print Show.
He continues: “Our floorplan for 2016 is already getting very chocked for the bigger stands and we are having to consider taking more space, and on top of that a large number of our key exhibitors have been asking us for space in 2017 to make sure they can retain the most advantageous spots.”
A clear indication of confidence is that they have exhibitors from right across the UK commercial print industry and brands like Konica Minolta, RISO, Antalis, Apex Digital Graphics, X-Press OnDemand, Intelligent Finishing Systems, Terry Cooper Services, and MGI that have realised the potential of The Print Show to grow their order books and boost their long-term prospects. Davies continues: “So the decision to put pen to paper and secure a venue for 2017 was an easy one and as I have said previously puts the seal on what is now a solid, right sized, and sustainable national show model.”
Telford bound
The Print Show 2017 is set to relocate from the NEC, where it will take place from October 11th to 13th this year, to the International Centre in Telford—just off the M54 to the west of Birmingham.
Davies explains how its early commitment to 2017 and a move to Telford has also been driven by a need to provide clarity to its exhibitors. Speaking candidly on the issue, Davies says: “I spoke out about what I felt was a very cynical move by IPEX to announce the return of their show the day before The Print Show 2015 opened its doors, moving from March to October and a year earlier than originally planned.
“It was also the day after we had announced our commitment to shows in 2016 and 2017. The final piece of the puzzle is that IPEX has changed from being an internationally-focused event to being a nationally-focused one. So to sum up, its dates, model, location, and focus has changed and now is a direct mirror of what we put forward in 2014 and accomplished so well in 2015.
“It can only leave you with one assumption, that it is a strategic move to try and block us from fulfilling our long-term promise to create a sustainable, annual, UK -focused, and right-sized trade show dedicated to celebrating UK commercial print and providing it with an annual economic kick-starter.”
Davies concludes: “Without a slot open at the NEC in 2017 we embarked on a round the UK tour of exhibition venues and ironically ended up 20 minutes up the road from where we started at what is an excellent, fresh, modern, and purpose-designed 13,000sq m site that will be a great host for us.
“Our feeling was that if IPEX remained an international show, run at its normal time and every three years, then there was more than enough room for two events in an industry as large as ours.
“Its decision to clash with our dates and focus will no doubt cause a lot of talk and speculation, but all we will continue to do is keep our heads down, work hard, and run a show that we feel the UK commercial print industry has needed for a very long time.”
Located in the picturesque county of Shropshire, the International Centre has undergone significant renovation work in recent years and is now regarded as one of the top exhibition facilities in the UK. Visitors in 2017 will have access to free on-site parking throughout the course of the three-day show.
The International Centre is also situated in an area of Telford that has undergone an exciting phase of redevelopment. Located just a five-minute walk away is the popular Telford Shopping Centre, boasting over 150 shops, in addition to a new restaurant and entertainment complex that boasts an IMAX Cineworld Cinema, a number of top-class hotels run by the same group as The International Centre. Also, for those visitors feeling extra adventurous, there is an ice rink and even a bowling alley, where print feuds can be settled in a friendly way.
