Leading names from the European sign industry will show the latest developments in equipment, software, signage materials and systems, fittings and fixtures, channel lettering, illuminated signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching at the event.

Signmakers and signage buyers will also be able to discover the future of the industry through the show's ‘Ask the Experts’ feature, a networking event where visitors and exhibitors can attend daily panel discussions and debate a range of topics focused around digital signage.

Fespa divisional director Roz McGuinness said: “While the exhibits at European Sign Expo will focus predominantly on conventional non-printed signage, our ‘Ask the Experts’ feature will concentrate on digital signage and will provide inspirational and practical support for anybody interested in digital signage or looking to expand their business into this area.

“We recently organised ‘Ask the Experts’ at our Brasil Signage Expo in September 2014. The Expo and feature emphasised the demand in the market for a dedicated signage event and demonstrated the need for education and learning about digital signage, hence the decision to replicate the feature in Cologne in May 2015.

“Printers and signmakers are realising that it doesn’t have to be an ‘either or’ market, but that printed and digital signage can, and do, complement each other.”

The 2014 European Sign Expo attracted 4,385 unique visitors over four days, with 80% travelling from outside of Germany.

“When we launched European Sign Expo in 2013 our aim was to provide signmakers with valuable insights into the full spectrum of signage possibilities. With two editions of the show now behind us, we’ve developed the event, taking on board feedback from exhibitors and visitors, to shape a targeted event for the industry,” said McGuinness.

Fespa recently revealed that the flagship Fespa 2015 show, which will have the theme 'Discover Your Universe of Print', featuring astronauts and space imagery, is set to be the biggest to date.