As a result Fespa 2013 will be a complete visual communications event with the absorption of digital signage and out of home advertising show Screenmedia Expo 2013 within the events running at ExCel this June.

"For brands and agencies it is essential to be able to look at their use of print and other media together," said Fespa managing director Neil Felton. "Embracing the broader visual communications market reflects the direction of the industry. Our research has found that 27% of the Fespa community of print service providers are looking to incorporate digital signage with their core print offering."

"The out of home market is undergoing a transition to digital, which businesses need to understand," said managing director of Screenmedia Expo organiser Screen Events Mark Pigou. "Print is never going to go away but there will be a convergence with digital screens."
Previously run as a standalone event, and slated to take place on May 22nd and 23rd at Earls Court, Screenmedia Expo has been moved back a month and across town to ExCel to run from 25-27 June.

"This gives our exhibitor clients a larger platform and visitor profile and international reach," said Pigou.

Some 9,000 additional visits to Screenmedia Expo could be generated by the combination of the events, a 300% uplift on the show’s 3,000 visitors in 2012. Pigou said that exhibitor feedback to the news had been fantastic, with one telling him "it was the best news ever" for the show. The increased scale and visitor numbers are also hoped to attract a number of high profile digital signage and display companies to exhibit.

Fespa launched the European Sign Expo, which is a joint venture with the European Sign Federation, last year to run alongside the main Fespa event in June. It will have a separate and distinct brand and entrance, although visitors will be able to access both events on the same pass. It will have a floor space of 5,000sqm compared to the 60,000 for Fespa.