LFP - Large-Format-Printing
First Fespa Mexico World Expo Attracts Record Number of Visitors
Monday 15. September 2008 - FESPAs first Latin American screen and digital printing event, FESPA Mexico World Expo, which took place 21st - 23rd August 2008, attracted over 30%* more visitors than its predecessor imageWorld, with nearly 9000 individuals attending FESPA Mexico.
Following the acquisition of imageWorld from ST Media in March 2008, FESPA succeeded in growing the event by 34%, successfully selling out the increased exhibition floor space. FESPA increased individual visitor numbers by nearly one third, with individuals attending from over 42 countries. The majority of attendees came from the host nation, but the visitor audience included strong representation from Central and South America, as well as the United States.
Michael Ryan, event manager for FESPA Mexico World Expo, comments: “From the outset, FESPA was strongly committed to building on the success of the imageWorld show. The events growth exceeded our own ambitious expectations; we welcomed a record 150 screenprinting and digital exhibitors from around the world, and attracted an unprecedented number of visitors to this Mexico show.”
Dunia Quiroz Yaeggy, Sub-director General, Nanojet, comments: “This is the third time that I have participated as an exhibitor at this event – the first two times when it was imageWorld and this time as FESPA Mexico World Expo. The FESPA show has been the best in all respects. I think it was very well organised and this opinion is shared by all of my clients who attended it.”
“As a small business, we consider this an important event that helps position our brand and provides us with a valuable opportunity to speak to customers face-to-face, yielding very good results. The calibre of visitors was excellent as many were key decision-makers. The majority came from Central America, however, there were many international attendees. Of key importance to us were companies from China that visited our stand, interested in 100% Mexican products. We look forward to attending the event next year!”
Jose Arturo Huerta, general manager, Sanchez, comments: “I was very pleased that FESPA Mexico World Expo was a success. There was better organisation and a greater number of visitors, which included many business owners and production managers – attendees who are of central interest to us, as they are key decision-makers.”
Nancy Gray, marketing manager, Fimor, comments: “Overall, FESPA Mexico 2008 was a very good event – a definite improvement over past years. I have attended every imageWorld show since inception and it appeared that FESPA did a better job in promoting the show, as traffic levels were up and steady throughout the day for each and every day of the show.”
FESPA is known for organising and delivering first-rate conference programmes, and the FESPA Mexico World Expo conference sessions featured a number of international experts who delivered seminars on a wide range of relevant topics.
Michael Ryan comments: “All of our conference sessions were well attended and many became standing-room-only due to their popularity. Conlatingraf vice president Juan Carlos Saccos market overview of Latin America was particularly well received. Bazar Grafico editorial director Luis E. Reynoso Vilches discussed the development of a strong business strategy, focussed on branding and understanding customers with a view to increasing profitability, which many visitors found extremely valuable. The sessions proved so successful that we are looking to expand the conference programme for next years event.”
With English and Spanish interpreters available during all sessions, there was excellent interaction between speakers and audience members, who obtained valuable industry knowledge and professional advice specific to their respective companies.
Charlie Taublieb, world-renowned for his creative screen printing techniques, ran live daily demonstrations showing visitors innovative ways to screen print onto garments. “Charlies demos were always at maximum visitor capacity and very popular among screen and digital printers, as well as students eager to learn about his screen printing techniques”, comments Michael Ryan.
FESPAs popular Showcase Theatre featured a number of popular sessions covering topics such as digital textile and UV printing printing, wide format RIPS and colour management.
Frazer Chesterman, managing director of FESPA comments: “Its clear from the buoyant and growing Latin American market that there is a strong demand for a world-class printing event in the region. Visitor feedback affirms that FESPA delivered a top-notch show and provided attendees with a great experience, with all the trademark features of any world-class FESPA event. FESPA Mexico World Expo supplied something for everyone; valuable information on the latest innovations and product developments for both screen and digital printing, networking opportunities and access to industry experts, to help take their businesses to the next level.”
He continues: “We are delighted with the success of the show and I am extremely proud of our team who achieved phenomenal results in just four months following the acquisition of the show. We are firmly committed to expanding our event portfolio into strong emerging markets such as Mexico and wider Latin America. The success of our Mexico show is proof that the market has the appetite for this type of exhibition experience and that FESPAs brand, reputation and expertise add real value to shows. Over the coming year, well intensify our engagement with print service providers, suppliers, distributors and associations in the region and expect that FESPA Mexico World Expo will go from strength to strength.”
On the back of the success of this show, many exhibitors have already indicated their commitment to the next FESPA Mexico World Expo, which is confirmed to take place at Centro Banamex, Mexico City from 27th – 29th August 2009.