06.20.23
As the print community continues to embrace the return to in-person events, PRINTING United Expo has emerged as a can’t-miss destination each year. Held annually, the event focuses on bringing together the print community to experience the latest printing technologies and applications all in one place.
Following a successful exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, USA, in 2022, Mark Subers, president, events, PRINTING United Alliance/NAPCO Media, sits down with L&NW to discuss plans for the 2023 edition in Atlanta – and beyond.
L&NW: What’s PRINTING United Expo all about, and how is the show unique for the industry?
MS: PRINTING United Expo is a three-day, immersive exposition and educational event for the printing and graphic arts industry the world over, where all market segments are represented under one roof. Produced annually by PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America; the inaugural event in its current state officially launched in 2019. Prior to 2019, the Expo has had a longstanding history in serving the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, and electronics segments as the SGIA Expo since the late 1940s.
The Expo’s unique model comes from the idea of industry convergence, or application diversification, which reflects the Alliance’s makeup, as well. When SGIA, PIA, Idealliance, and NAPCO Media merged, the Alliance took form and grew to serve members across the entirety of the printing industry, much as the Expo serves the industry at large from an exposition standpoint.
With all segments and opportunities for attendees together under one roof, the event format allows for easier identification of opportunities for business expansion, networking, and education on exactly how to tap into new opportunities. The convergent concept also eases T&E for printers who would otherwise need to be selective of niche events in which to attend each year, further maximizing ROI in attending. For the industry OEMs, providing one roof to demonstrate their latest technologies provides a much stronger ROI as well.
This year, we’ve created community HUBs on the show floor, which are centered around market segments and comprised of likeminded and like-serviced media partners, association partners, OEMS, and more. This centralized area will help further connect attendees with exhibitors on the floor in how they can benefit from learning more about what this segment and these companies have to offer.
L&NW: How has the Printing United Expo been received by the industry?
MS: The Expo has been received tremendously by all our global partners and attendees. In fact, the Expo was named a Gold 100 Grand Award winner in the category “Fastest-growing Gold 100 Show Managed by an Association” in 2019 by blended growth, and a Gold 100 “Top 100 Tradeshows” in 2022, both by Tradeshow Executive, as well as being named by the organizers to the class of the Fastest 50 rankings, which saw extreme growth in both the attendees and exhibitors.
After the pandemic, the Expo remained committed to serving the industry and answering the demand by exhibitors and attendees alike for “the show to go on” to continue fueling sales pipelines and investments for business operations. The Expo was the only event of its size and diversification in 2022. The Expo’s attendance beat national averages by 25% and the show scored a 9 out of 10 in attendee satisfaction rating.
What we did not anticipate was the overwhelming emotional sentiment that additionally poured out on social media as friends and colleagues reconnected after events had shuttered for as long as they did, thanking the Expo for opening its doors once again to help get businesses back up and running and getting back to a normal pace of shows taking place. It was a humbling experience.
L&NW: What should the label and package printing industry know about the Expo and why it makes sense for them to attend?
MS: The label and packaging segment is such an important one in our industry, and we are making major investments to grow this area of the show floor to support exhibitors and attendees alike.
The floor will include a variety of solutions for all packaging applications, including label, corrugated, folding carton, and flexible. However, we believe the most important aspect for this group will be the exposure to a multitude of new and innovative solutions in all other segments including commercial, mailing/fulfillment, textile, promotional, apparel decoration, and more. PRINTING United Expo is the place to come and discover your future applications, partners, solutions, colleagues, and more for all members of the industry.
L&NW: The Alliance runs the Expo. What other benefits does the organization offer their membership?
MS: PRINTING United Alliance member benefits are vast. As the premier trade association representing our industry on Capitol Hill, members benefit from the association’s voice in legislation and key connections in supporting printing companies both stateside and nationwide. The Alliance additionally serves professionals across market segments with preeminent education, training, and workshops through its industry-leading iLEARNING+ e-learning platform – through events such as PRINTING United Expo and its powerful Summits; through critical research and economic analysis; support and guidance on HR, safety, and environmental sustainability issues; and so much more.
At the Expo, Alliance members receive exclusive benefits such as a free Expo pass; free paid educational sessions; access to an express, members-only registration line; unlimited access to the Alliance Member Lounge with refreshments and amenities; reserved seating at keynote presentations; reserved seating at the Future State Theater; early access to the Opening Night Party with members-only bar and lounge; and more.
Readers interested in learning more about the Alliance can visit www.printing.org/join, or call 888-385-3588 to speak with a membership representative.
L&NW: What are your goals for the future of the Expo?
MS: In the near term, we look forward to seeing everyone in Atlanta, GA, USA, October 18-20, 2023. Going forward, our goal for future Expos is to continue to serve our members and the industry in the very best way possible. This is why the Alliance exists.
We will listen to attendee and exhibitor feedback to continue to innovate to ensure it is meeting the demands and goals of these groups, as well as grow and diversify to help business owners identify areas of convergence and help them implement actionable steps for future business success and longevity.
Label & Narrow Web readers can register for PRINTING United Expo free at www.printingunited.com, using code: LANW23.
Following a successful exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, USA, in 2022, Mark Subers, president, events, PRINTING United Alliance/NAPCO Media, sits down with L&NW to discuss plans for the 2023 edition in Atlanta – and beyond.
L&NW: What’s PRINTING United Expo all about, and how is the show unique for the industry?
MS: PRINTING United Expo is a three-day, immersive exposition and educational event for the printing and graphic arts industry the world over, where all market segments are represented under one roof. Produced annually by PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America; the inaugural event in its current state officially launched in 2019. Prior to 2019, the Expo has had a longstanding history in serving the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, and electronics segments as the SGIA Expo since the late 1940s.
The Expo’s unique model comes from the idea of industry convergence, or application diversification, which reflects the Alliance’s makeup, as well. When SGIA, PIA, Idealliance, and NAPCO Media merged, the Alliance took form and grew to serve members across the entirety of the printing industry, much as the Expo serves the industry at large from an exposition standpoint.
With all segments and opportunities for attendees together under one roof, the event format allows for easier identification of opportunities for business expansion, networking, and education on exactly how to tap into new opportunities. The convergent concept also eases T&E for printers who would otherwise need to be selective of niche events in which to attend each year, further maximizing ROI in attending. For the industry OEMs, providing one roof to demonstrate their latest technologies provides a much stronger ROI as well.
This year, we’ve created community HUBs on the show floor, which are centered around market segments and comprised of likeminded and like-serviced media partners, association partners, OEMS, and more. This centralized area will help further connect attendees with exhibitors on the floor in how they can benefit from learning more about what this segment and these companies have to offer.
L&NW: How has the Printing United Expo been received by the industry?
MS: The Expo has been received tremendously by all our global partners and attendees. In fact, the Expo was named a Gold 100 Grand Award winner in the category “Fastest-growing Gold 100 Show Managed by an Association” in 2019 by blended growth, and a Gold 100 “Top 100 Tradeshows” in 2022, both by Tradeshow Executive, as well as being named by the organizers to the class of the Fastest 50 rankings, which saw extreme growth in both the attendees and exhibitors.
After the pandemic, the Expo remained committed to serving the industry and answering the demand by exhibitors and attendees alike for “the show to go on” to continue fueling sales pipelines and investments for business operations. The Expo was the only event of its size and diversification in 2022. The Expo’s attendance beat national averages by 25% and the show scored a 9 out of 10 in attendee satisfaction rating.
What we did not anticipate was the overwhelming emotional sentiment that additionally poured out on social media as friends and colleagues reconnected after events had shuttered for as long as they did, thanking the Expo for opening its doors once again to help get businesses back up and running and getting back to a normal pace of shows taking place. It was a humbling experience.
L&NW: What should the label and package printing industry know about the Expo and why it makes sense for them to attend?
MS: The label and packaging segment is such an important one in our industry, and we are making major investments to grow this area of the show floor to support exhibitors and attendees alike.
The floor will include a variety of solutions for all packaging applications, including label, corrugated, folding carton, and flexible. However, we believe the most important aspect for this group will be the exposure to a multitude of new and innovative solutions in all other segments including commercial, mailing/fulfillment, textile, promotional, apparel decoration, and more. PRINTING United Expo is the place to come and discover your future applications, partners, solutions, colleagues, and more for all members of the industry.
L&NW: The Alliance runs the Expo. What other benefits does the organization offer their membership?
MS: PRINTING United Alliance member benefits are vast. As the premier trade association representing our industry on Capitol Hill, members benefit from the association’s voice in legislation and key connections in supporting printing companies both stateside and nationwide. The Alliance additionally serves professionals across market segments with preeminent education, training, and workshops through its industry-leading iLEARNING+ e-learning platform – through events such as PRINTING United Expo and its powerful Summits; through critical research and economic analysis; support and guidance on HR, safety, and environmental sustainability issues; and so much more.
At the Expo, Alliance members receive exclusive benefits such as a free Expo pass; free paid educational sessions; access to an express, members-only registration line; unlimited access to the Alliance Member Lounge with refreshments and amenities; reserved seating at keynote presentations; reserved seating at the Future State Theater; early access to the Opening Night Party with members-only bar and lounge; and more.
Readers interested in learning more about the Alliance can visit www.printing.org/join, or call 888-385-3588 to speak with a membership representative.
L&NW: What are your goals for the future of the Expo?
MS: In the near term, we look forward to seeing everyone in Atlanta, GA, USA, October 18-20, 2023. Going forward, our goal for future Expos is to continue to serve our members and the industry in the very best way possible. This is why the Alliance exists.
We will listen to attendee and exhibitor feedback to continue to innovate to ensure it is meeting the demands and goals of these groups, as well as grow and diversify to help business owners identify areas of convergence and help them implement actionable steps for future business success and longevity.
Label & Narrow Web readers can register for PRINTING United Expo free at www.printingunited.com, using code: LANW23.