The Fespa Global Print Expo 2021, which was rescheduled a number of times as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place as per the latest plans in October.
Together with the European Sign Expo, the tradeshow will proceed from 12 to 15 October in Amsterdam in light of the progressive relaxation of COVID restrictions and re-opening of hospitality and live events in The Netherlands.
Fespa organisers say that this progress, enabled by the pace of the vaccination programme in Europe, means that the two live Fespa events can now go ahead with no restrictions on visitor numbers or density within halls and on individual exhibitor stands, and without one-way systems.
Fespa CEO Neil Felton said, “After such a long hiatus and so many disappointments, it feels incredible to finally be less than three months away from opening the doors to a live Fespa event.
“The anticipation from our exhibitors is mounting, and with the restrictions within live events eased, we can deliver an experience that comes as close as possible to what people expect from Fespa. Of course, this year will be different in lots of ways, but European print business owners are telling us that they need live events back to support their planning and investment decisions.
“With this event, we’ll set out to deliver the most comprehensive product and applications showcase possible to support their business recovery and build foundations for future growth.”
Health precautions will still be taken to ensure the safety of attendees, including an enhanced cleaning regime, prominent hand sanitising facilities and wider aisles to allow for optimal visitor flow without bottlenecks.
With a view to reducing physical touchpoints where possible, visitors will be able to enter both events using a digital ticket held on their mobile phone, and use QR codes around the show to access online versions of brochures, exhibitor marketing collateral and magazines via an updated FESPA event app.
Mask wearing and distancing is also recommended.
The Fespa Global Print Expo 2021 and the co-located European Sign Expo aims to bring together over 300 exhibiting companies over 16,000m² of exhibition space, offering print, textile and visual communications businesses a long-overdue opportunity to see the latest digital wide format, screen, textile printing and signage product innovations ‘in real life’, to touch and try technologies and materials, and to access expert advice in-person.
Exhibitors include 3A, Agfa, Ahlstrom Munksjö, Brother, Canon Production Printing, d.gen Inc, Durst, Kornit, M&R, Mimaki Europe, OneVision, Roland DG and STS Inks.
Australians, however, will possibly have to wait until the 2022 tradeshow to attend.
Fespa recently announced that the 2022 event will return to Berlin, Germany,together with the European Sign Expo. The events will take place at the Messe Berlin from 31 May to 3 June 2022.
“After we hosted a successful event in Berlin in 2018, which achieved record international attendance numbers, we were keen to return in 2022,” Felton said.
“Fespa 2022 will continue to be an essential platform for printers looking to future-proof their businesses and aid business recovery and we’re looking forward to welcoming all participants, including those that are unable to attend Fespa 2021 due to travel and border restrictions.”
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