41 Issue 252 - April / May 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk that in the way they are growing and creating a buzz.” And if visitors aren’t quite ready to put their hands in their pockets and make a purchase there and then at an exhibition, as demonstrated by DMA Signs, just seeing the technology in action could spark business later down the line. Speaking at The Print Show 2023, managing director of Axzyra, Steve Woods, said: “There’s been a constant flow of people in which you had time to talk to everyone and then follow that up with potential demonstrations or conversations after the show.” With some large-scale exhibitions having decreased and events like drupa only coming around every four years, we have seen the rise of more focused, local events where manufacturers and suppliers have joined forces to demonstrate their offerings. These events also provide the perfect opportunity to follow up on leads made at larger exhibitions and keep interest piqued. At the end of 2023, supplier of laser and engraving machines, Trotec partnered with Ian Hoole, finance manager at The Sign Group, which exhibited for the first time last year, told SignLink at the 2023 event: “We’re here to show our products, and hopefully get sales from it. We don’t fit as a traditional exhibitor [not working directly with retailers] but we’re hoping we can use our network of sign companies to liaise with potential leads to benefit all parties.” Still Buying Shows Alongside the networking opportunities, it goes without saying that the main benefit to exhibitors at any trade show is to either sell equipment or promote services and in turn make money. For visitors, events enable you to source the hottest new equipment, see demonstrations, and make comparisons between technologies all in one room. At The Print Show 2023, HP expanded its Latex range with its new entry-level 630-Series, making white ink technology available to print-service-providers. This new technology was launched at 12pm on the first day of the show on both the Colyer and Perfect Colours stands. After seeing the technology at The Print Show 2023, DMA Signs became the first in the UK to purchase the new HP Latex 630 kit from Colyer due to being impressed by its design and ability to provide fast print speeds. Similarly at Sign and Digital UK this year, Mimaki presented three new printers, the UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/ cutter, the TxF300-75 direct-to-film printer, and the UJV100-160 Plus LED UV printer. On the first day of the event, exhibitor and Mimaki reseller PrintMax sold the first UK release of the UCJV330, demonstrating that visitors still very much attend trade shows to buy. Eddie Tucker, managing director of Liyu UK, said at the 2023 Print Show: “The UK needs to start investing more and getting back on its feet, and shows like this show EVENT SPOTLIGHT: TRADE SHOWS AND INDUSTRY EVENTS the likes of Mimaki, Drytac, and Soyang to demonstrate the possibilities of laser and print technologies. At the event, Bryan Jater, sales director at Trotec, said: “We want to give people a thorough overview because there will be a lot of people who use our machines that don’t use Mimaki machines but the two have such synergy. “We thought let’s try and get Mimaki people looking at lasers, laser people looking at Mimaki, and also bring in some substrate suppliers as well.” The open day is an example of suppliers collaborating but also demonstrates how small and large events can coincide as they both demonstrate the benefits of getting up close and personal with machinery, substrates, and new solutions. While event calendars can often get very full and busy business periods can make heading out of the office seem unappealing, it is clear that trade exhibitions and industry events are here to stay. Their relevancy and the benefits they offer continue to grow as businesses continue to diversify and look for the latest developments in technology and seek the latest trends and hot topics to learn about. Echoing this point at the 2023 Print Show, The Online Print Coach, Colin Sinclair McDermott said: “Anyone who's involved in the industry needs to be at this event, if you’re putting it off because you’re too busy or can’t afford the time out of the office, it’s a no brainer. Get cover or close the office if you have to, you’ll get so much for being involved in this event to take back and work on your business. “There’s a plethora of suppliers and speakers as well as the general networking and seeing the trends in the industry, even if you’re not in a position to buy a product or service at the moment, you can go to look for ideas and set plans for the future.” ▲ FESPA Global Print Expo took place between March 19th to 22nd in RAI Amsterdam ▼ The Print Show 2024 will run from September 17th to 19th at the NEC Birmingham
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