With the promise of an 'Explosion of Possibilities' for visitors, next year’s Fespa show will take place from 14-17 May at Messe Munich, Germany. It marks 20 years since its first appearance in the city in 1999. It has subsequently returned to Munich in 2005, 2010 and 2014, a destination which consistently ranks highly in visitor feedback.
Head of marketing Sarah Farrell said: “Our new strapline speaks to the huge amount of diverse possibilities and opportunities that will be available. Visitors always tell us they feel like a kid in a candy shop when they come to Fespa."
Fespa also used the findings of its annual Print Census, which collates the thoughts of more than a 1,000 printers and signmakers across the world, to scope out the trends, markets and technologies at the forefront of visitors minds.
“Our census has allowed us to find our focus by identifying the areas that people are either already making inroads into or finding challenging to break.
“It is very important to us not just to inspire but to educate and develop visitors’ businesses which is what will happen in our theatres and practical demonstrations. Ultimately, Fespa is the place to be if you are in this field – the only place to see the latest technology and applications alongside each other to give the widest array of opportunities.”
Farrell said that the success of the Print Make Wear fabric printing zone at 2018’s record-breaking Berlin show had proven popular enough to be revived “better than ever” in Munich – it reportedly attracted 2,000 visitors last year.
New specialisms and areas of interest are already “up our sleeve”, according to exhibitions director Roz Guarnori, though full details are yet to be disclosed.
Fespa Global Print Expo 2019 will cover six halls of Messe Munich and more than 700 exhibitors are expected to take up stands. It will be co-located with the European Sign Expo 2019, continuing a partnership from last year.
Guarnori said: “Fespa is the top destination for the print community and there is nowhere else like it as a global print expo. We are working to make 2019 the best show ever.”
