Inaugural PRINTING United megashow attracts 30 000 visitors

Built upon the strong foundation and success of its predecessor, the SGIA Expo, the inaugural PRINTING United trade show brought approximately 30,000 individuals representing all facets of the printing industry to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas last month.

Occupying 724,000 gross square feet, the bigger, better and bolder event — developed by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and NAPCO Media to meet industry demand — featured a sold-out show floor of more than 680 exhibitors, over 100 educational sessions and several events to further connect industry players.

Pre-show registration for PRINTING United 2020 has already topped 6,000 attendees. With over 1 million gross square feet in Atlanta, more than two-thirds of the 2020 show floor has been reserved.

“The feedback we continuously received throughout the show, and following the event from both exhibitors and attendees, has been overwhelmingly positive and powerful,” said Ford Bowers, President and CEO, SGIA. “Many commented on how revitalising it was to see such a full, and comprehensive, event. We were most thrilled about the buying taking place on the show floor. This is the best testament that our industry, indeed, is thriving. We just needed the right model, and we are confident that we have produced that with PRINTING United.”

The 4,000-square-foot PRINTING United Experience Zone was a highlight of the expansive show floor. This physical structure allowed attendees to traverse through simulated home, retail, restaurant and outdoor environments; and highlighted print’s presence in everyday life. Here, attendees could touch and take in the various printed applications.

Sponsored by Canon, Drytac, EFI, Fisher Textiles, FUJIFILM, Konica Minolta, Kornit Digital, OKI Data Americas, Ricoh, S-One Holdings Corporation, Stahls’, Top Value Fabrics, Ultraflex and Xeikon, the Experience Zone included printed guides describing how each piece was printed and pointed attendees to the booths where they could learn more about the applications used to produce the pieces highlighted there.

The PRINTING United educational experience kicked off before the show floor’s doors officially opened, with three half-day intensives on Tuesday, October 22. PRINTING United’s 100-plus educational sessions — including a full education track and three amphitheaters on the show floor — were specifically designed so that attendees could find relevant, expert-led educational sessions at any given time. Attendees took part in comprehensive tracks for the graphics, apparel, functional/industrial, in-plant, commercial and packaging communities.

Among a comprehensive schedule of in-depth specialty presentations, the sold-out Women in Print Alliance Breakfast held Thursday morning was an especially inspirational session. ST Media’s Adrienne Palmer interviewed teen fashion designer Ariel Swedroe, with a lineup of industry-leading women following up by sharing their own personal journeys in the print industry.

“The vision for PRINTING United has been two years in the making,” said Mark J. Subers, President, PRINTING United. “Seeing it all come together was surreal. We worked hard to provide this industry across all segments with solutions and resources they need to make their businesses successful. For some, that means expanding their capabilities within their traditional industries; for others it’s collaborating and converging with adjacent segments and markets. Either way, there was something for everyone and our passion for where this industry is headed is invigorating.”

PRINTING United 2020 will take place October 21 - 23 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Show details can be found soon at PRINTINGUnited.com.