Visitors from over 60 countries now registered for EcoPrint Show

EcoPrint 2012 organiser, FM Brooks, has revealed that its world-leading content has proved a massive draw for the entire print supply chain with visitor registrations including a broad cross section of printers, marketing agencies and global brands from 60 different countries.

Registrations have flooded in from around Europe and beyond and the list of major brands and agencies to express their interest in sustainable print now includes Carrefour, TBWA, Nestle, Zara, Volkswagen, IKEA,  Deutsche Post, Axel Springer, Random House, DB Kommunikationstechnik GmbH, Triad Berlin and more.

Since announcing the event in October 2011, EcoPrint has worked hard to become the first business event - anywhere in the world - to achieve ISO20121 Event Sustainability Management System, while at the same time bringing focus to the print industry’s fragmented debate around sustainable print.

“The successful launch of EcoPrint, the world’s first event 100 per cent focused on sustainable print business, is a clear indication of the growing importance of sustainability for the print community,” says Frazer Chesterman, co-director of EcoPrint. “It’s clear from the diverse range of registered guests that the appetite for sustainable print among some of the world’s biggest print consumers is strong and they are being proactive about how they satisfy it. As such, EcoPrint 2012 is the industry’s best opportunity in years to make up ground lost to greenwashing and smash any misconceptions these key stakeholders may have about the sustainability of print.”

“The interest in the event to date from right across Europe, and indeed the world, has been extraordinary, and confirmed to us that the decision to hold the show in Berlin was the right one. It’s the capital of Europe’s largest and most eco-focused market and a city well known for ‘setting the agenda’ as its recent past of positive change, innovation and determination clearly demonstrates.”

Senior executives from leading global brands including Coca-Cola, Toyota, DM: Markt, IKEA, Aveda, Clear Channel, JC Decaux make up a seminar roster headlined by keynote speeches from two huge names in European sustainability: Cradle To Cradle co-creator Professor Doctor Michael Braungart and founding director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber.

Recent additions to the schedule also include a demonstration from sustainable fashion brand Vapor Apparel, which details the sustainable future of the worlds’ most ubiquitous article of clothing, the “T-Shirt”, as well as, a presentation from BBDO, Germany’s largest advertising agency on sustainable media production.

The exhibition floorspace will feature some of sustainable print’s biggest names including: HP, Heidelberg, EFI, Mimaki, Ricoh, Roland, Epson, Mutoh, Avery Dennison, Arjo Wiggins, Deutsche Papier, Coldenhove, Dickson Coatings, Roland, Xeikon, Coldenhove, Nazdar, Jteck, Marabu, Sepiax, Neschen, Beelite, Converd, Stora Enso, Stein Beis, Caldera, K-Flow, Konica Minolta, Matrix Frame, Dufaylite, Ilford BioMedia and Zund.

And print industry associations have also rallied to support EcoPrint 2012, including ESMA, Intergraf, POPAI, Verdigris, f:mp, Media Mundo, Ingede, DGI and Two Sides. In addition to association support, EcoPrint has also gained the support of FSC Deutschland.

In a unique approach to trade shows, EcoPrint 2012 promises to be part thought-leadership summit and part technology showcase, and in accordance with the EcoPrint visitor journey, delegates will be asked to THINK, TALK and TAKE ACTION when it comes to sustainability.

The Main ‘Think’ Stage features strategic insight into the future of sustainability and the value it has for a print business. While the ‘Talk’ Forum, known as The Round, focuses on specific issues surrounding sustainability with debates and discussions. And then there are the ‘Take Action’ Technical Seminars where the content features technical sessions from advisors, research organisations, experts and consultants in sustainable print production.

Finally there will also be the Eco-Showcase Seminars in Hall 7, presented by exhibiting companies on their sustainable products and sustainable stories.

As activity gears up for the show’s grand opening, EcoPrint would like to thank its sponsors â€" in particular the Headline Partner, HP; Education Partner Sappi, Green Supporter Beelite, Technology Partner 3M, Creative Campaign Sponsor Erler & Pless, Hub & Research Sponsor INX Digital and strategic partner ESMA. Special mention also goes to supporting associations f:mp, Ingede, POPAI, Media Mundo, Two Sides, Intergraf and last but by no means least the show’s EcoPrint Development Group, EcoPrint Ambassadors and its founding exhibitors.

Concludes Marcus Timson, co-director, “Since the launch of the show, it has become clear that the issue of sustainability is fragmented across Europe and the world, and we do need a semblance of clarity, cohesion and leadership to take this important issue forward. What we hope this first exhibition will achieve is vision, direction and leadership whilst giving visitors a highly focused opportunity to source the right products, services and solutions from our 80+ exhibiting companies.

“It is clear that print needs to have focused sustainable conversation with the entire supply chain. Print has the strongest sustainable stories of any media and we hope to equip the Print Industry with the facts and tools to take this story to the community of buyers and specifiers who are making important strategic media decisions.”