Due to take place alongside Fespa at Messe Berlin from 15 to 18 May, the event has seen record exhibitor demand to participate, with a 42% increase in exhibitor numbers and a 58% increase in stand space compared with 2017 figures.
Sponsored by store display systems manufacturer EFKA, this year’s sixth outing of the event will see 28 first-time exhibitors join brands with an established presence.
New exhibitors include European companies Böttiger Media, Euracryl, 3D System and Magit as well as US-based Signarama (USA) and Hong Kong firm Arcadia Style.
“With 114 exhibitors and over 2,700sqm of floor space, European Sign Expo is proving to be increasingly popular with the European non-printed signage industry,” said Fespa exhibitions director Roz Guarnori.
“If we take the bigger picture into consideration, the show is three times larger since it launched in 2013. With so many new exhibitors this year there will be plenty for visitors to explore, including neon signage, LED, channel lettering, sign systems and much more.”
Guarnori added there is “a direct synergy” between European Sign Expo and Fespa.
“Signmakers are signmakers and we’ve always maintained that, but many signmakers are either diversifying into print if they were traditionally offering non-printed signage, or vice versa – if they do printed signage they’re seeing the opportunities of being able to provide a complete solution to customers.
“From our perspective, the co-location alongside Fespa makes absolute sense and the results are proving the ROI of the event for our exhibitors, which are seeing more and more joining each year.
“Our pre-registration for European Sign Expo is really spiking up. As a show in its own right, it’s drawing its own audience as well as benefiting from the crossover with Fespa.”
Nominations in the non-printed signage category at this year’s Fespa Awards include an astro turf wall, ‘faux’ ghost signs and traditional hand painted signage with a twist.
The entries, currently displayed online at www.fespaawards.com, will be showcased in the atrium entrance of Messe Berlin throughout Fespa 2018, with the winners announced during the Fespa Gala Dinner on 16 May.
