The doors to the inaugural FESPA Middle East 2024 exhibition from 29 till 31 January opened 29 January at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.
At the event, visitors can discover hundreds of solutions for wide format, textile printing and sign making technology, software, media and consumables, as well as participate in an extensive feature and educational programme.
Exhibitors
Due to the large demand the floor space has been expanded by 40%, adding a third hall to the exhibition. Exhibitors include event sponsors Signtrade, Flex-Europa, Canon, CMYK and Epson, and brands and distributors such as ADS Advertising Materials, Brother, Mimaki Europe B.V., and ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH.
Distributors including Al Shabak General Trading Co., Worldwide DG, Quantum Digital, Wellcare Advertising, Pro Technology, Desert Sign, Blue Rhine General Trading, Magic Trading, and Strings International Advertising, have teased important product launches at the exhibition, largely focussed on finishing and embellishment equipment, vinyl and graphics, as well as PVC-free and sustainable material alternatives.
Bazil Cassim, FESPA Regional Manager, Middle East & Africa, comments, “Preparations for this event have confirmed the strong appetite from our exhibitor community for a dedicated FESPA event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We’ve got an incredible lineup of distributors and brands for the inaugural event in Dubai and visitors will discover a host of creative new solutions throughout all three halls. Education is at the heart of everything we do at FESPA, so we’re proud to bolster the exhibition with further educational and inspirational opportunities through our feature programme, helping visitors to turn ideas into business growth.”
Education
On day one of the show, Marco Roos, CEO and Founder of ColorBase, will run interactive colour management workshops. The first Colour Confidence session is aimed at print operators, giving practical guidance on colour management with the view to define accuracy, enhance consistency and reproduction, diagnose issues, and implement effective solutions. The second session, aimed at sales professionals, will offer actionable advice on effectively navigating customer communications around colour accuracy, brand requirements and sales strategies.
On 30 January, visitors can join the second FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX). The knowledge-sharing sessions will delve into market trends and brands, sustainability and new technology. Sessions include:
- How brands, retailers and print buyers are challenging the printing industry with new requirements and expectations by Christian Duyckaerts, President of the Screen and Digital Workgroup of the Belgian trade association Febelgra and FESPA Asia Ambassador.
- Green production , a business opportunity by Christophe Aussenac, Founder & Director of ATC (Autorise Toute Creativité) and FESPA President.
- Future vision, past future or next future by Alberto Masserdotti, Director of Gruppo Masserdotti SpA and FESPA Board Member.
- Trends and innovations in out-of-home marketing, opportunities for digital out-of-home and implications for regional brands by Haris Munif, Advisory Board Member, CMO Council Middle East Co-founder.
- Digital print for fibre-based packaging by Daniel Brunton, Packaging Expert.
Features
Located on stand 2-D25, the Sustainability Spotlight material showcase will feature a wide range of environmentally responsible graphics and textile material samples, including leather and leather alternatives, natural fibres, cellulosics and synthetics. Accompanying information cards will enable visitors to learn more about the substrates’ sustainable attributes and how to produce innovative, environmentally-conscious products. The entire showcase area will be built using recyclable and reusable materials in partnership with ReBoard Technology.
The first World Wrap Masters Middle East (Stand 2-E60) regional competition will take place at FESPA Middle East 2024. The competition will feature a series of timed events, challenging competitors’ wrapping skills for a chance to compete in the 2024 World Wrap Masters Final in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Visitors interested in vehicle wrapping can also access free daily training workshops and demonstrations delivered in conjunction with The Wrap Institute. Sessions include Prepping a vehicle for wrapping; Templates vs bulk installs for PPF; How to upsell; How to relieve tension when wrapping; and What to consider when tinting. The sessions will be taking place on stand 2-E72.
Throughout the show, members of FESPA’s national Associations and FESPA direct members can network in the Club FESPA lounge. Located on stand 2-B50, the lounge offers one-to-one networking opportunities with successful European printers, as well as like-minded regional and global printers and sign makers.
Registration
Admission to the show is free of charge. You can register at the website and use code FMEM404.
FESPA Middle East 2025
FESPA announced that the second edition of FESPA Middle East will return to the Dubai Exhibition Centre in 2025. The event will run for three days from 14 – 16 January 2025, occupying the North Halls of the venue, including halls 1A, 1B & 2A.
FESPA’s decision to host this event in 2025 follows the positive response to the launch of the inaugural FESPA Middle East 2024. Taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre this week (29 – 31 January 2024, Dubai Exhibition Centre), the event features a line up of 150 brands and a comprehensive feature programme.
Bazil Cassim, FESPA Regional Manager, Middle East & Africa, comments, “The exhibitor and visitor feedback to the launch of FESPA Middle East has been overwhelmingly positive and reaffirms our decision to expand our offering into the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region. In response to this, we’re delighted to be returning to the Dubai Exhibition Centre for a second edition in 2025 and look forward to offering a platform that builds on the success and our learnings from the 2024 event. In the meantime, we will continue supporting our growing community in this region through our FESPA Direct membership.”
