EVENTS / NEWS 26 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 252 - April / May 2024 signlink signlink signlinkmagazine The 2024 Visual Merchandising and Display Show (VM & Display Show) has highlighted some of the features of this year’s exhibition which comes after a growing presence within the display and retail calendar. Despite the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, the VM & Display Show is a staple show for visual merchandising and display professionals with this year’s event being its 33rd year. Recent demands for more sustainable and tactile display materials have meant more and more print and signage companies have exhibited and visited each year. Exhibitors and brands at this year’s show include (subject to change) Antalis, Applelec, Brownings, FaberExposize UK, Glitter Walls, Innotech, MediaCo Group, and Service Graphics. This year’s show also includes the new POPAI Zone, an area run by the industry association for shopper marketing which will highlight cutting-edge trends in shopper marketing via seminars, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. Topics at the seminars will include shopper marketing, sustainability, and digital display with experts there to network and advise suppliers, brands, and industry enthusiasts. The exhibition has also highlighted the evolving nature of the high street as a ‘cornerstone’ for the local economy, community, culture, and commerce as well as the importance of experiential retail. UK exhibition looks to ‘revitalise’ the high street The exhibition will take place from April 16th to 17th at the Business Design Centre in London ISE 2024 breaks all records Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) has revealed its 2024 show broke all records previously set by the exhibition regarding visitors and attendance. This year’s show celebrated its 20th anniversary and was held at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, where the show attracted 73,891 unique verified attendees from 162 countries. The visitor numbers are the highest ever recorded since the show began in Geneva back in 2004. As well as visitors the show also had its highest-ever number of exhibitors (1,408) and its largest-ever amount of used floor space, totalling a net of 82,000sq m. Wednesday (January 31st) achieved its highest number of visitors in one day with 51,617 visitors, a 22% increase from the previous record. Overall, ISE 2024 attracted 172,627 visits across the four days, packing many of Barcelona’s hotels, bars, and entertainment venues with exhibitors also reporting “unparalleled footfall” on stands across the exhibition. By David Osgar This year’s show used #ISE20Years and #ISE2024 to share updates of the show on social media Taking place at Hilton Birmingham Metropole at the NEC, The Sign & Wrap Awards (previously The Sign Awards) celebrated a variety of different projects, businesses, and individuals within the sign, wrap, and wide-format print industry. Winners included Sign Reload (Unsung Hero), Astley (Best in Show - Signage), Cube Branding (Best in Show - Wrap), Off The Wall Creative (Young Signmaker and Signage Company of the Year Under 30), Patrick McGowan from Off the Wall (Industry Champion), and Blaze Signs (Signage Company of the Year 30+). Hosted by ITV weather presenter Emma Jessop, the evening gave attendees the chance to catch up, network, and celebrate following a year of big projects and continuing hurdles for businesses to tackle. This year saw vinyl wrapping categories included meaning an even larger variety of businesses and projects were nominated. Looking at the nominees and winners it was also clear to see the increased standard from previous years and the continuing diversity of projects as evident in categories like the Rollout award, which included projects featuring fabricated signage, print, and signwriting. Many businesses took home multiple awards thanks to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze rankings which included awards like Printed Wrap – Out of the Ordinary and Architectural Film Project. Wrap and signage celebrated in glittering award ceremony The Sign & Wrap Awards are run by the team behind Vism (now Vantage) and The UK Graphic Awards FESPA UK Association kicks off its 2024 events FESPA UK Association held its first Next Generation event of 2024 at Coventry Transport Museum on February 21st. The Next Generation initiative launched last year and saw various events hosted across the UK including collaborations with Zünd and Liyu UK and appearances at exhibitions such as The Print Show in September 2023. The initiative has been created to meet the demand for more young skilled professionals in the print, signage, and graphics industries as well as to provide networking opportunities for young people. The latest event focused on sales and communication with a training workshop focusing on sales techniques, enhancing communication skills, and adapting to the modern landscape of the industry. Kennedy Ross provided the training and was handpicked by FESPA UK due to its attention to detail and engagement with young participants. The event was attended by The Printing Charity which provided a short Q&A about its Rising Star Awards. By David Osgar The first Next Gen event for 2024 focused on sales and communication
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