Ipex moves to London
Ipex is moving to the ExCeL centre in London in 2014. The exhibition, which has taken place at the NEC, Birmingham, since 1980, has also moved to an earlier slot in the calendar. It will be held 26 March – 2 April, avoiding the Easter holiday period.
“Until now the NEC venue was the only one in the UK that could handle the sheer size of the event,” said Trevor Crawford, director of the Informa Print Group which runs the show. “Since the expansion of its event halls in May 2010, ExCeL London has now become the perfect venue for Ipex.
“While our UK audience will always remain critically important to the show, Ipex is a truly global event, and the attraction of London as a venue, and the remaining legacy of the 2012 Olympic investment into the area, will certainly add to the attraction for our international visitors.”
David Preskett, president of Ipex 2014, chairman of the IAC (Ipex Advisory Committee) and European Professional Print Director, Canon Europe, added: “Relocating to London will give Ipex the backdrop and foundation to further expand its International appeal. Ipex is a forward-thinking event that is determined to raise the bar to reflect our changing industry and communications media landscape.”
Tim Webb, executive director of Picon, the trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers to the printing, papermaking and paper converting sectors, applauded the move: "We have been in constant dialogue with the Ipex team during the consultation process and there is enormous enthusiasm from our members for the decision to return to London. They are very keen to exploit all the new avenues that ExCeL and the City of London can bring to the Ipex experience."
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, also had something to say on the Ipex move. “It’s tremendous news for London, and certainly befitting to our Olympic legacy and standing on the international events stage that the ‘Olympics of the global printing industry’ returns home to our city.”