Ipex organiser Informa Exhibitions is hoping to reposition the 2014 event to reflect the new media landscape and has cut its duration from eight to six days (24 - 29 March 2014) because the shift in focus from litho to digital print and communications means it no longer warrants the longer timeframe.
The show, which will integrate Cross Media, is now being marketed as a digital, print and marketing communications showcase that brings together the whole print and media supply chain but, in the wake of notable withdrawals and decisions not to exhibit by companies such as HP, Agfa, Kodak, Xerox and Heidelberg, emphasis is being placed on meeting exhibitor priorities - such as attracting more visitors from overseas and more focus on vertical digital print markets, particularly packaging where they see the biggest potential for new business leads.
The 2014 show will include new educational content such as the World Print Summit, which will follow the theme of ‘Strategies and Practices of Outstanding Leadership in the Challenging Business of Offline and Online Marketing’.
From a wide-format perspective, expect a dedicated seminar programme on the show floor though this will focus on growth trends/opportunities for commercial printers. EFI, Oce/Canon, Fujifilm, Screen, Epson, Esko, Vivid Laminating and Zund are among the wide-format suppliers now signed up to the show.
Ipex has been reshaped following a global market study during Q4 2012 in which AMR International researched the key trends impacting the print industry and the events that serve it. 114 telephone interviews were followed-up by an online survey of 1600 international visitors from the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The results emphasised seven key trends impacting the graphic communications industry:
• consolidation in the print service provider community in developed economies
• offset is changing
• the rapid rise of digital
• printers offering non print-related services
• growth in printed packaging
• growth in emerging markets
• interest in multi-channel marketing communications
Crawford said that in response: “Ipex is moving from being a general print event to a highly focussed multimedia experience promoting the essential role of print. It is driven by an impressive content programme to inspire print service providers to add value and increase profitability, and recognise the importance of collaboration with end users.”
He added: “After careful review of the research and consultations with the IAC, the decision was made to reduce the days to bring it in line with other major industry events today and ensure that we deliver a dedicated, ‘must-attend’ event that meets the needs of senior decision makers.”
Informa Exhibitions managing director, Peter Hall, added: “Ipex 2014 will reflect the medium-term future for graphic communications in developed markets as well as emerging markets in the coming years by placing a clear emphasis on digital and cross media technologies.”