Event director Trevor Crawford paid tribute to all the people involved in planning and organising the show, during what had been an exceptionally challenging runup, and described the exhibition as "first and foremost a business show, but also a showcase for all that is greataboutourindustry".

St Ives founder Bob Gavron, together with industry visionaries John Crosfield (founder of Crosfield Electronics), Benny Landa (Indigo founder), and Frank Romano (Emeritus Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology) were among the Champions honoured in person at the event.

Ipex president and Heidelberg UK managing director George Clarke gave a rousing speech, and said: "The time for talking up the show is over. We exhibitors have put our money where our mouths are, at a difficult time, and now we need a return on our investment."

Clarke said the show would be judged a success "if exhibitors managed to instil confidence in our industry and confidence to invest."