The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) presented the inaugural PRINTING United tradeshow, which brought approximately 30,000 individuals to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on Oct. 23-25. Occupying 724,000 gross sq. ft., the event – developed by the SGIA and business-to-business media company NAPCO Media – featured more than 680 exhibitors, more than 100 educational sessions and several events to further connect industry players.
The show floor featured an array of equipment, software and consumables to meet printers’ and their customers’ needs. Many products were worldwide debuts; others were shown in North America for the first time.
The PRINTING United Experience Zone, which covered 4,000 sq. ft., allowed attendees to traverse through simulated home, retail, restaurant and outdoor environments, highlighting print’s presence in everyday life.
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 brochures describing how each piece was printed and pointing attendees to the booths where they could learn more about the applications used to produce the pieces.
The PRINTING United educational experience kicked off before the show floor officially opened, with three half-day intensives on Tuesday, Oct. 22. More than 100 educational sessions – including a full education track and three amphitheaters on the show floor – were designed specifically so attendees could find relevant, expert-led educational sessions at any time. Attendees took part in comprehensive tracks for the graphics, apparel, functional/industrial, in-plant, commercial and packaging communities.
Pre-show registration for the next show, PRINTING United 2020 (Oct. 21–23), has topped 6,000 attendees. With more than 1 million gross sq. ft., more than two-thirds of the show floor has been reserved. PRINTING United 2020 will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Show details can be found soon at www.PRINTINGUnited.com. Those interested in exhibiting may contact John Woodstock, VP sales, SGIA, at jwoodstock@sgia.org or 703.359.1332.
