The organisation said its decision to replace the biennial Fespa Digital event with the annual running of the main Fespa event going forward has been made in consultation with exhibitors and visitors.

The all-encompassing show will aim to annually cover all technologies, processes and applications in the digital wide-format, screen and textile print sectors.

Speaking at the Fespa Fest event in Hamburg, Germany yesterday (23 February), Fespa chief executive Neil Felton said: “We are always going to be seen as something within the heartland of screen, digital and textile and that the main Fespa is the brand that they associate us with.

“This change is about making sure that the brand is consistent. It also enables a consistent development of new initiatives and helps planning for our exhibitors as well.

“We’ve seen that as digital has grown, and has become a more mature market, it’s actually become the everyday staple with regard to what Fespa is. Going forward we will have one annual single destination event with everything under one roof.”

Fespa first revealed it was set to consult exhibitors, members and visitors on its proposal to unify the brand two years ago, following talks at the time with the screen community, which wanted to be involved in the intervening ‘Fespa Digital’ years.

“By unifying our European events and removing the ‘Digital’ distinction, we can focus all our energies on delivering the same great event experience for all participants, every year,” said Fespa divisional director Roz McGuinness.

“For our visitors, it ensures that whatever the year, wherever they are in their investment cycle, they can attend a trusted Fespa event in Europe that meets all their needs as a source of information and inspiration.

“Suppliers of technology and consumables for screen print now have the opportunity to exhibit at Fespa every year, giving them a regular platform to share their ideas and innovations, rather than being constrained by a cyclical event calendar.”

Fespa 2017 will take place in Hamburg from 8 to 12 May with the strapline ‘Dare to print different’.

Fespa has also confirmed that Berlin and Munich will be the host cities for the 2018 and 2019 editions respectively, while the 2020 event will be held in an as-yet undetermined location outside Germany.

The organisation said Hamburg, Berlin and Munich have been chosen as they are all major international business hubs with good air, rail and road transport links and a wide range of accommodation and hospitality options.

For more information on the 2017 event, visit: fespa2017.com