Whilst still only 6 years old, the PRINTING United Expo has quickly become a permanent and must-attend fixture on the global print calendar, encompassing everything from commercial print to display graphics, labels and packaging, textiles and apparel, and more. This year the Expo is being held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from October 22nd to 24th.
Whilst still only 6 years old, the PRINTING United Expo has quickly become a permanent and must-attend fixture on the global print calendar
Attracting over 680 exhibitors, spread across one million sq. ft. of exhibition space, exhibition organisers confessed that their biggest challenge was how to address some of the more ethereal industry trends, like the advent of AI.
Mark Subers, President of Exhibitions and Events, PRINTING United Alliance, says: “Even with a million square feet, the biggest challenge was how do you find people that are offering AI solutions? We have given them a central hub with a giant AI Wall - a visual guide to all the AI-centric technologies on display throughout the Expo - with an adjacent theatre area set up, offering sessions primarily focused on AI, so that people can meet there, see what’s happening, and then go out and meet the other exhibitors.“ The new PRINTING AI Pavilion is located on Stand 4255.
Chris Curran, Group President, Media & Events, PRINTING United Alliance, is focused on another two new Exo events: “On October 21st, the day before the show officially opens, we are introducing a new community event. The G7/G7+ Exchange is where print professionals can come together to learn about colour quality, management and consistency, as well as take a deep dive into the G7 methodology. The theme is ‘United By Color’ because colour is a universal language.”
“Then, during the Expo itself, we have established a new drop-in zone called ‘Spill the Ink’, aiming to replace formal presentations with real-time, candid conversations among peers and thought leaders.” Participants in the Spill the Ink discussions are drawn from a new program the PRINTING United Alliance has been piloting called PRINTING United All-Stars. Curran continues: “They are essentially people who are just really passionate about the printing industry. It doesn’t really matter where they come from: it’s just about evangelizing the everyday conversations from the community and the business-building that happen at the Expo.”
Other events both integral and peripheral to the main PRINTING United Expo include:
- various Hands-On Training Zones (such as the Apparel Zone) where attendees can explore screen printing, dye sublimation, cut-and-sew, embroidering, heat-applied graphics, and other textile printing technologies;
- the PDAA (Professional Decal Applicators Alliance) Installer Zone, where vehicle wrappers can learn tips and tricks for applying graphics to doors and windows, as well as difficult surfaces and materials;
- Student Day (October 23rd) a recurring Expo event co-sponsored by the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), offering students an opportunity to get an up-close and personal look at the latest equipment and technology;
- various networking events hosted by the Women in Print Alliance (WPA).
