New additions to the Fespa line-up include the show’s SmartHub conference. Featuring a series of expert-led conference sessions from industry figures like Hans Scheffer, founder and CEO of HelloPrint, Gemma Mitchell, managing director of Paragon Dagenham, Kerry Sanders, VP marketing and new business development at EFI, and Deborah Corn, print ambassador at the Print Media Centr, the conference will focus on helping printers achieve strong automation and cut down on waste.

Taking place across the first three days of Fespa, running at Messe Berlin from 6-9 May, the hub will also feature its own Smart Factory Trail to put best practice on show, with partners including Antigro Designer, Inkcups, Mimaki, Neolt, Polyprint and Trotec.

Also new for 2025 is the co-located European Sign Expo show’s new Pavillion area, which will celebrate emerging members of the signage industry with a vibrant show of signage made to feel like a “lively high street”.

Returning features for the programme include the show’s Fespa Awards, dedicated to celebrating wide-format print across 18 categories, including graphics, signage, special effects, merchandise and textile printing, vehicle wrapping, packaging and more. 

Shortlisted entries will be on display throughout the show, with winners announced on 7 May.

Also returning are the World Wrap Masters European competition and finals, with the show’s first two days dedicated to regional head-to-heads before competition heats up for the finals on days three and four of the show. Dedicated live demonstrations of vehicle wrapping will also take place throughout the show.

“Our features provide our visitors with an opportunity to delve beneath the surface of imminent trends and challenges within the speciality print and signage industries,” said Michael Ryan, head of Fespa Global Print Expo.

“Our new SmartHub feature – which includes the Smart Factory and conference line-up – will encourage Visionaries from across the print industry to enhance their knowledge on intelligent manufacturing.”

He added: “I am delighted to welcome back World Wrap Masters and the Fespa Awards, both a true celebration of talent and excellence across an array of vertical markets. Additionally, the conference programme will give visitors even more of an opportunity to learn, network and maximise their business growth – which is what Fespa is all about. 

“We’re thrilled to be back in Berlin and cannot wait to become the ultimate meeting point for Visionaries across and beyond print, signage and personalisation, this May.”