It’s Showtime! – Andy McCourt news commentary

Online visitor registration is at an all-time high, the economy is in good shape and graphic communications is holding its own.

So, our own trade exhibition is well underway, but many Australian printers and other graphic communicators also like to travel to major international technology exhibitions.

International show scene

Just before PacPrint is ChinaPrint (May 11-15), Beijing but this event focuses mainly on the ever-increasing Chinese and other Mandarin/Cantonese speaking markets. Traditionally, it is not one for the global visitor. In September (9-15), Chicago sparks up for Print’05 at the McCormick Centre and is always a great international event.

But the one that so many Australians and New Zealanders really look forward to is IPEX (www.ipex.org) in the UK; the next one is from 4-11 April 2006, just 418 days away. IPEX is regarded as the ‘friendly’ show with English as the main language, an ultra-modern and easily navigated hall system and a tendency for major launches, such as digital colour printing at the 1993 event. When I was in the UK last week I visited IPEX organizers IIR Exhibitions in London.

Early birds catch best rooms

Meeting with IPEX Exhibition Director Trevor Crawford and Head of Marketing Sarah Harvey on a brisk February afternoon, it is apparent several new initiatives are underway.

“About 76 per cent of IPEX space is sold even at this early stage,” commented Trevor Crawford, “not only are all of the industry majors in place, but equally encouraging is the fact that of suppliers confirmed for the show to date, almost 20 per cent of them are exhibiting at IPEX for the very first time.”

Recent announcements include the creation of a specific Management Information Systems Zone, and a Paper Zone where visitors can save shoe leather by accessing these two vital areas with major players in proximity to one another. A custom large format inkjet area was announced in November, when 6,000 sq. metres were added to IPEX floor space.

Sarah Harvey told me, “Australia and New Zealand are very important markets to us with anything up to 1,200 attending previous shows. We hope to hold a joint ANZ event as part of our International Days programme. We also welcome any Australasian exhibitors to IPEX 2006 – a great way to reach the world market.”

Print21, Printing Industries and the Graphic Arts Services Association are each preparing attractive travel and accommodation packages to IPEX, backed by intensive knowledge of the area surrounding the UK’s National Exhibition Centre, the local market and opportunities for value-added features of the tours.

Excellent rooms in Stratford, Warwick and Leamington Spa have already been reserved with more to follow as Birmingham adds thousands of more hotel bedrooms to the region.

If you are interested in reserving one of these rooms, contact Sonia or Marty at Eastern Suburbs Travel estclovelly@optusnet.com.au

MY CALL

There are trade shows and there are trade shows but, since my first IPEX in 1988, this is the one that never disappoints. Okay, I’m biased – I was a member of the marketing committee and Asia-Pacific Project Manager for IPEX 1993 whilst in the UK for three years.

Australians and New Zealanders (yes, Cherie dear, there is a big difference!*), get a lot out of IPEX from both business and recreational perspectives. Many have ancestral ties to Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and, if that’s not your cup of tea, Europe just a short flight, ferry or drive away (through the Chunnel). The Brits staffing the IPEX stands are more ready to share information – at some other shows, staff lose interest once they realise there’s nothing in it for them.

It’s possible to fly directly into Birmingham International by changing at Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Paris and Emirates fly directly in with one stop at Dubai. Having said that, last week I flew Qantas into Heathrow and, courtesy of Hertz’s friendly efficiency, I was in Birmingham by car within two hours of t.

IPEX is an all-round delightful way to mix serious business with a dash of pleasure. The rooms reserved through Printing Industries and GASAA are amongst the best locations available and, once these go, you could be stuck in the middle of Birmingham City or out in the industrial sticks at Wolverhampton or Nuneaton – so get in early.

Moves are afoot for a repeat of the famous 1998 BBQ, and maybe a friendly cricket match. I tried to organize one at last IPEX, but the Poms piked out on it! All together now “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie: Oy-Oy-Oy”

(* a rather jet-lagged PM’s wife, Cherie Blair addressed Kiwis as ‘Aussies’ on the Auckland first leg of her lecture tour this week)