FESPA Middle East Cements Status as Regional Market Leader
Senior decision-makers drive record purchasing intent, reinforcing event’s role as region’s most commercially focused print and signage platform; conference programme attracts more than 200 attendees with strong engagement across leadership, sustainability, AI, and automation topics; 2027 edition to be held from 12-14 January at Dubai Exhibition Centre
FESPA Middle East has confirmed its position as the region’s most influential platform for global digital printing, textile, signage, and screen printing industries, with strong attendance from senior decision-makers, increased investment intent, and the delivery of tangible commercial value for exhibitors and partners across the three-day event.
Post-show analysis reveals that more than 75% of visitors held senior roles, including business owners, CEOs, directors, and managers, underscoring the high calibre of the audience. For exhibitors, 87% of attendees were involved in the purchasing decision-making process, with 50% holding final decision-making authority, ensuring that conversations on the show floor translated directly into real business opportunities.
Investment was also a key factor this year: 50% of visitors actively planned to invest in new equipment within six months, and 62% planned to invest within the next 12 months. This momentum was further reflected in budgets, with a 10% increase in average spend per visitor, demonstrating growing confidence across the regional print and signage market.
The quality of attending companies also continued to improve. The event recorded a 4% increase in visitors from organisations employing more than 50 people, reinforcing FESPA Middle East’s appeal to established, growth-focused businesses seeking scalable technologies and long-term partnerships.
Bazil Cassim, Regional Manager (MEASA) – FESPA Middle East, says, “FESPA Middle East 2026 delivered exactly what exhibitors are looking for, and that is access to serious buyers with real budgets and clear investment plans. The data shows a highly engaged audience, with decision-makers actively seeking solutions they can implement in the short to medium term. This reinforces the event’s role as a catalyst for growth and a platform where business gets done.”
Beyond the exhibition floor, the conference programme proved a major draw. Individual conference sessions attracted more than 200 attendees, with discussions on leadership, sustainability, AI, automation, and future market opportunities. The strong engagement highlighted the industry’s appetite for strategic insight alongside technology investment.
Sessions explored how print and signage businesses can future-proof operations and unlock new revenue streams in a rapidly evolving market. Highlights included practical leadership insights from the FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX), with sessions focused on scaling strategies, regional expansion, and navigating economic change, alongside business-led presentations such as Beyond the Hype: AI for Your Business, which examined real-world applications of artificial intelligence across print operations.
Sustainability was a central pillar of the programme, with strong attendance at sessions such as Embedding Sustainability into Workplace Culture, which explored how organisations can align teams, processes, and values to support long-term environmental commitments. Design-led discussions, including Storytelling via Design: Crafting a Seamless Experience, addressed the growing role of print and signage in creating meaningful brand environments.
Automation and future-ready production were also key focus areas, with a session titled Future-Proofed Print: Steps Towards Automation, which examined how workflow optimisation, automation, and data-driven decision-making can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen long-term business resilience.
“The conference programme is designed to act as a knowledge platform for the region, bringing together global insight, regional perspective, and real-world application. The strong engagement we saw across the sessions reflects a market that is not only investing in equipment, but actively seeking the strategic thinking, skills, and understanding needed to build resilient, future-ready businesses,” adds Cassim.
The event returns to Dubai Exhibition Centre in 2027, taking place from 12-14 January.
