GAMAA will conduct a full review of its co-owned trade shows PacPrint and PrintEx following drupa’s announcement to move to a three-year-cycle.

The suppliers association says drupa’s decision will affect trade shows around the world, including those in Australia, but it will have no impact on the upcoming PrintEx15 in May.

GAMAA president Mitch Mulligan says drupa’s move to a three year cycle reflects evolution of the international trade show environment as the needs of the industry shifts.

“So as a natural process we will reassess how to deal with the changing environment and we are in the process of a full review of trade shows with our membership,” he says.

“I believe that the decision by drupa will advantage them and their vendors, who drive the show. For them it must be a collective decision to change. But everyone will be analysing this news to see what they need to do.”

“At this point we don’t think it will affect us considering it is not in the near future. Our focus is on PrintEx15, which will be held in Sydney May 13 to 15 at the Sydney Showgrounds.”

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The news from drupa comes after the giant show first proposed a three year cycle in November 2012, but at the time major exhibitors such as Heidelberg, HP and KBA were all against it.

However, as print continues to change and as new markets emerge drupa organiser has persuaded the committee that a three-year-cycle is the way to go.

Following the 2016 event drupa will take place in May 2019, 2022 and 2025. Ordinarily there would be a PrintEx scheduled for May 2019 and a PacPrint for May 2025. These shows will need to reschedule.

The Australians are not alone, every print show around the world will be impacted by the drupa decision, Igas for instance has a 2019 show scheduled.

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