Next year’s 31st edition will take place as usual at the NEC, Birmingham, from 24 to 26 April, and event director Rudi Blackett said his team are currently planning to develop the look and feel of the show by enhancing visitor experience, with more new features due to be announced in the coming weeks. 

“We recently commissioned an independent research company to do some extensive interviews with our visitor audience to find out what they really want from the show and what would be useful to them to grow their businesses,” said Blackett. 

“The top results included keeping up with new technologies, learning from industry experts and getting valuable advice, coupled with sourcing new products at the best prices.”

The event will also continue to place emphasis on material applications, printed textiles and interior decor, after last year’s event in which the likes of Antalis and Spandex showed new applications.

“As we know in recent times there is a clear emphasis on applications, and Sign & Digital visitors are keen to see what is possible in terms of output and to be inspired with creativity,” added Blackett. 

More than 200 exhibitors are targeted for the 2018 event, with an anticipated rise in unique visitor numbers, which hit 5,351 last year. Blackett said stand bookings are currently ahead of where they were at the same point in the 2017 show cycle and the likes of CMYUK, Zünd and Epson have already increased their stand size.

Last year, Blackett hailed the sector’s versatility in the wake of Brexit fears, as its 30th edition took place the week the UK invoked Article 50. He said that the industry still appears to be forging ahead in spite of a “frustrating” Brexit, driven largely by creativity in terms of products and applications.