4 week countdown to Ipex 2014

The organisers of Ipex 2014 say that the event will provide the print industry with the tools, knowledge and inspiration to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. Responding to independent research and extensive industry wide consultations, Informa has maintained the event’s print-centricity, but developed the event to reflect the evolution of the global communications landscape. With just over a month to go, Ipex is poised to help print emphatically stake its place in the communications mix.

“Events are evolving, especially in B2B industries that are undergoing widespread changes like the print industry. It is critical for organisers to adapt their events to reflect these changes so that they deliver a wide range of benefits â€" including the all-important ROI â€" for exhibitors and visitors alike,” says Peter Hall, Managing Director, Informa Exhibitions.

“We have worked collaboratively with the international print industry and the markets that serve it to understand what Ipex needs to deliver. The result is an informative and engaging event that addresses every level and component of a print company through hundreds of international exhibitors showcasing their latest products and technologies, a comprehensive content programme, compelling features and the allure of London at the state-of-the-art ExCeL centre.”

“Ipex will be the first international print-centric event that doesn’t just look at the technologies to create quality print and the strategies and practices to harness its power, but one that reflects, analyses and provides proven solutions to help printers be a success in the modern marketing communications world. We have laid the groundwork to deliver a muti-faceted event that will support the industry now and in the coming years.”

New technologies and product launches

Ipex visitors will discover the latest global technologies and solutions to produce quality print applications. These technologies cover the entire print production workflow, from concept right through to the finished product, with suppliers from the UK and countries from across the globe, notably from Belgium, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. In addition to a raft of upcoming and innovative suppliers exhibiting for the first time, there will be a host of new technologies launched, with more scheduled to be announced in the lead up to Ipex and at the event itself.

For pre-press, there will be new market software solutions for colour management, variable data printing, web-to-print, integrated communication solutions and design. On the print production side, there are digital printing product launches for inkjet, inkjet label, inkless photo and 5-colour LED A3 printing, as well as new document mailing solutions and converting and feeding technologies. New systems will also be showcased for the full range of finishing techniques, including laminating, foiling, folding, booklet-making, binding, cutting and more, in addition to new solutions for machine maintenance and consumables, with a wide range of new inks and substrates being showcased.

Global Community Spirit

Ipex will appeal to all communities within the print and media landscape. Dismantling the silos between printers, marketers, brand agencies, specifiers and publishers, visitors will be able to engage with the technologies, solutions, issues, opportunities and personnel that make the communication industries tick. Ipex will also host a plethora of events within the ExCeL, including B51/ISO Standard Global Gathering, an EFI User Group, and the PODi (Digital Printing Initiative) European Forum, further establishing Ipex as the heart of the print community.

Content programme and features

Ipex has been refined to be the definitive information source for the print industry in 2014 via the event’s comprehensive and relevant content programme, demonstrating to visitors how best to utilise and market print in the modern multi-media mix. Whether it’s understanding the trends that are shaping the industry, discovering new technologies and applications, developing robust business practices or honing operational skills and techniques, visitors from all corners of the print industry will find a practical takeaway, new idea, skill, solution or mind-set that will boost the performance of their company â€" for free.

The World Print Summit, a senior-level strategic thought leadership programme, will deliver a world-class line-up of speakers from the print, business, marketing and creative industries. An invaluable opportunity for business owners and managers, this forum will give them exclusive access to previously unheard content that will deliver the leading insights into the evolving role and power of print. Sessions will cover ‘How To Future-Proof Print in a Digital Age’, ‘Print: Doomed or on the Verge of a Digital Renaissance’, ‘Sustainability â€" So What? An Audience with Publishers and Printers’, ‘A Culture Shift Within The Print Industry’ and ‘The Evolving Role of Print for Consumer Marketing â€" Changing Attitudes to Print’. Speakers include Barry Hibbert (Polestar Group), Benny Landa (Landa Corp), Professor Emeritus Frank Romano (RIT), Rory Sutherland (OgilvyOne London and Ogilvy & Mather UK), Clive Humby (Starcount and developer of Tesco Clubcard), Patrick Martell (St. Ives Group and Ipex 2014 President), Richard Watson (acclaimed futurologist and author of Future Files), Kathy Woodward (BPIF) and Chris Jones (Novalia).

This programme is complemented by the Future Innovations zone, which looks at the printed products and technologies that are set for rapid expansion over the next few years across three sections â€" covering 3D printing, printed electronics and photo products. This will include a daily live demonstration of how to produce photo products from concept to end product.

The Masterclasses â€" organised by Print Future’s Neil Falconer â€" will focus on business growth and production efficiency for SME printers. Aimed at the owner of a print business and his sales and production teams, these practical sessions will tackle real life, day-to-day issues and look at how best to solve them to streamline production and support business growth. There is an eclectic assortment of engaging topics within the Masterclasses, including the ‘Evolution of a commercial printer’, ‘Five cost saving tips for better margins’, ‘New age of Print â€" strategic marketing, creative and great design’, ‘Changing sales and marketing habits to sell more print’, ‘Attracting and retaining the right staff to grow a print business’, ‘Where printers go wrong with colour management’ and a host more.

Meanwhile visitors will be drawn to Inspiration Avenue, three galleries along the ExCeL’s Boulevard, celebrating powerful print opportunities, impact statements and case studies that demonstrate the crucial role of print and its versatility across a number of major themes, including retail, interactive, automotive, sports, education, design and creative, and electronics. The Eco Zone â€" sponsored by Komori â€"will incorporate a gallery that will illustrate the eco-credentials of a number of Ipex exhibitors.

For print service providers looking for the tools and know-how to evolve into a full marketing service provider, Cross Media Production’s three theatres (running from 25th to 27th March) â€" covering brand management, 121 digital, data and direct marketing, and publishing â€" will focus on how to effectively implement communication strategies across multiple platforms. The Cross Media Production seminar programme features presentations, case studies and panel discussions on such topics as ‘Expanding Marketing Services to Deliver Cross-Channel Campaigns’, ‘Developing Transformation Strategies from Print to Cross Media’, ‘Increasing ROI Using Customer Insight Programs & Web2Media Platforms’ and ‘Managing Operational & Structural Change in Organisations’.

Ipex has also put an emphasis on the importance of injecting young blood into the industry. Designed specifically for students from secondary schools, colleges and universities, an exciting ‘Youth in Print’ programme will run on the last day (Saturday 29th March) â€" in and around the World Print Summit â€" that features presentations on the power of print from past students of the industry, a tour of Ipex, practical workshops and career advice for students.

At the Wide Format Zone, visitors will see a range of devices and ancillary services being showcased by Epson, Screen, D&K, Grafityp and M Partners, among others.

Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2014 Event Director, comments: “With only a month to go, everything we have worked towards is falling into place. By consulting the print industry, we have created an event that is inspiring, thought-provoking and relevant to the needs and requirements of print and media enterprises over the long term. Ipex is much, much more than an exhibition, and we can’t wait to demonstrate that in March when we open the doors at its new home at the ExCeL London.”

New home, new vision

All this takes place under one roof at Ipex’s new home at the ExCeL London, where visitors and exhibitors will be able to immerse themselves within a state of the art venue in one of the greatest business capitals in the world, as well as embracing London’s iconic culture and world famous nightlife â€" making Ipex much more than just a vital business trip.

Begin your Ipex journey

Visitors can pre-register for free via www.ipex.org, and are encouraged to keep up-to-date with the Ipex content programme via the website to enable them to plan their schedule, arrange travel and accommodation and make the most of their time at the event.