The reason for this drop, from over 9,000 visitors in 2012 to 8,314 this year, was the show being held in August rather than September, said Fespa marketing manager for the Americas, Lorraine Harrow. "This year’s visitor figures were actually back inline with 2011’s which was also held in August," she said.
Show organisers also pointed to the high percentage of decision makers at the show, with 50% of visitors in senior company positions and 44% with final decision making power. They also pointed to the fact that 13.5% of the 125 exhibitors at this year's Fespa Mexico were new to the show, and that 13% of returning exhibitors increased their floorspace.
Fespa Mexico exhibition manager, Michael Ryan, said: "This year’s show was a tremendous success and we’re delighted to continue the positive interest after last year’s record breaking year. It’s great to see the enthusiasm in the market is still here and the feedback we’re receiving from exhibitors is extremely positive. The success of the show is represented through 60% re-bookings for next year’s event."
The theme for Fespa Mexico 2013, held 15-17 August at the Centro Mabamex, Mexico City, was ‘discover a new world of print’. Visitors were encouraged to explore new business opportunities through engaging with new products, technologies and market trends.
Features at the show included Wrap Professional, in which 32 vehicle decorators go head to head, Garment Central, offering eight sessions on garment decoration techniques, and a daily conference schedule.
Edsel Lonza, sales manager at Xaar Latin America, Fespa’s global technology partner, said: "This was a very productive show for Xaar in an extremely buoyant market. We had positive discussions with the leading local resellers and distributors who are looking to assemble specialist wide format graphics printers in Mexico and who need to rely on a leading print-head supplier who has a local presence and can provide expert technical service and support."
Fespa Mexico 2014 will take place 21-23 August 2014 at the same location.
