Organizers Report Successful Inaugural PRINTING United

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 Oct. 23-25.

Occupying 724,000 gross square feet, the event – developed by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and NAPCO Media –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 (Oct. 21-23, Atlanta) has already topped 6,000 attendees. With more than 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 revitalizing it was to see such a full, and comprehensive, event. We were most thrilled about all 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.”

Konica Minolta/MGI USA reported that it expects to exceed sales revenue goals for the show.

“MGI and Konica Minolta had a truly inspirational experience at the inaugural PRINTING United exposition,” said Jack Noonan, MGI Marketing Manager. “The sense of energy and optimism at the show about the future growth of our industry was astonishing. The concept of a ‘big tent event’ to house all segments of the marketplace proved to be a visionary concept for all participants.”

“PRINTING United set out to create one environment centered on the convergence of innovations in our industry. Based on the traffic we had in our booth, from commercial printers to sign shops and many in between, that goal was achieved,” said Heather Poulin, senior director, marketing, Commercial Printing Business, Ricoh USA Inc.

The 4,000-square-foot PRINTING United Experience Zone allowed attendees to traverse through a simulated home, retail, restaurant and outdoor environments; and highlighted print’s presence in everyday life.

The PRINTING United educational experience kicked off before the show floor’s doors officially opened, with three half-day intensives on Tuesday, Oct. 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.

“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.