Japan’s international print trade show Igas has been quickest off the blocks to claim the mid-cycle spot inbetween the new three-year drupas, dumping its longstanding annual domestic Jgas to clear the way.
Igas 2015 will take place on its regular four year cycle this September, with the next show now scheduled for 2018. Speaking at a media briefing in Tokyo on Friday Igas says the move is ‘in direct response’ to drupa’s new three year strategy.
What the move means for other print exhibitions is yet to be seen, and in particular the effect on other two big international shows that were on the four year cycle along with drupa and Igas, Ipex in the UK and Print in the US.
At the very least it will add to their considerable issues in getting shows off the ground, and at the other end of the scale may spell the end for them.
[Related: More trade show news]
Ipex, which is ostensibly scheduled for 2018, is already on the ropes following the withdrawal of almost all major exhibitors at its 2014 show. It is highly unlikely that the big exhibitors will fund two international shows in the same year, the Igas move may prove the knockout blow to Ipex as we know it.
Igas did not consult Ipex over its decision.
Print is similarly facing an uncertain future, it is next scheduled for 2017 but with the bottom collapsing out of the US print machinery market it may also struggle to get exhibitors, especially the major ones.
Last month drupa announced it was switching from a four year to a three year cycle saying it was ‘in response to exhibitor demand’. Some saw the move as a brilliant defensive strategy in the face of shrinking global exhibitor marketing budgets.
With exhibitor budgets unlikely to increase it means that drupa will increase its share of the exhibitor pie by 25 per cent at the expense of other shows, which may not now be able to run.
Igas 2015 will take place September 11-16, and is aiming for 50,000 visitors for its 2015 show. Komori will have the biggest stand followed by Ryobi MHI and then HP. Some 323 exhibitors are signed up. Igas says the theme of the show will be print and innovation, and will highlight new value added areas for printers to be looking at. There will be tours, educational seminars, workshops.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter