John Brazier, chief executive at show owner Picon, said: There have been a lot of difficult circumstances leading up to this event, but I genuinely feel the timing is absolutely right.
Its spring, the sun is shining. Yes theres still caution, but theres beginning to be optimism along with it, he said.

The timing couldnt be better. People need to have an uplift now more than they did before. The spring timing has caused people to reassess their approach and I hope this timing will seen to be good. In terms of business planning for 2003 it give people longer to assess what the real trends are.

Caroline Eden, managing director at show organiser IIR added: Its all very exciting to see four years work coming to fruition. The stands look fantastic and Im very impressed with the time and ef-fort the exhibitors have put into the show.

Xerox is the shows largest single exhibitor, with 6,500m2 of space at its Future Print Now area in Hall 3. It is always a major undertaking to design a distinctive customer experience for a tradeshow especially when you are the largest exhibitor but the world stage of Ipex is the perfect showcase, so all the effort is worth it, said Jo Oliphant, Xeroxs Ipex programme manager.

Other exhibitors were equally upbeat: It sounds corny, but the sun is shining and things are definitely picking up. I think it really will be a good show, I think people will be surprised at how good the end result is, said Close Asset Finance assistant managing director Murray Booker.

Bob Sugg, technical manager at Friedheim International was bullish: Im convinced it will be our best-ever show its certainly our best display.

Surveying his firms stand in Hall 5, Ray Hillhouse, sales and marketing director at AB Dick stated: Im very, very optimistic about the show. Some people were quite nervous, but weve had more people saying they are going to come that ever before, and more requests for tickets than ever too.

PPS launches its new identity as MAN Roland Great Britain at Ipex: Due to the economic climate we had been expecting low visitor numbers but were very optimistic now having had approximately 90% of our VIPs confirm their attendance. Were really chuffed, said marketing director Murray Lock.
Ipex 2002 is the biggest Ipex yet, and covers 92,000m2 of space at the NEC.

Story by Ipex Daily journalists at Ipex