FESPA Middle East will take place from January 22 to 25, 2025, at The Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City. As a landmark event for the large format and digital printing industries, we had the opportunity to sit down with Neil Felton, CEO of FESPA, to explore the vibrant world of signage and digital printing. Here is the full interview:
Could you share the vision and mission of FESPA Middle East and how it aligns with the broader goals of FESPA International?
FESPA Middle East embodies the same core pillars and mission as FESPA International: to inspire, support and connect the global print community. Our primary goals are to drive innovation, foster collaboration and help businesses within the specialty print and signage industries to thrive.
In the Middle East, this vision takes on a unique regional perspective. With a focus on the strapline ‘Where Visionaries Discover’, the event will serve the local printing industry while offering global trends, cutting-edge printing technologies, insights on sustainability and regulatory requirements, and innovation. By creating a vibrant community for printers and visual communicators, FESPA Middle East can help printing businesses in the region to stay competitive in a dynamic global market.
What specific objectives does FESPA Middle East aim to achieve for the printing industry in the region, especially with the upcoming event in 2025?
FESPA Middle East 2025 will serve as a networking hub and a platform to:
- Showcase innovation: providing a stage for global and regional exhibitors to demonstrate their latest printing, signage, and visual communication technologies.
- Encourage sustainability: promoting sustainable practices and solutions, helping businesses to align with global standards while reducing their environmental footprint.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing: offering workshops and a conference programme to address industry challenges, explore emerging trends, and share best practices.
- Build networks: connecting industry stakeholders – printers, suppliers, designers and consumers to foster meaningful partnerships and collaborations.
- Empower regional businesses: equipping them with the tools, knowledge and opportunities to drive growth.
Industry Trends and Market Insight
What key trends are currently shaping the print industry in the Middle East, and how does FESPA plan to address or leverage them at this year’s event?
At the inaugural FESPA Middle East event in January 2024, it was discovered that there is significant demand for environmentally friendly products and practices, with 72% of print buyers actively seeking products that are eco-friendly and/or produced using sustainable processes. Other significant trends include the requirement for fast turnarounds, increased personalisation and shorter print runs. There is also more of a demand for AI and automation supported printing applications.
Sustainability is a growing concern across industries. How is FESPA Middle East supporting sustainable practices in the regional print market?
Following the success of our Sustainability Spotlight at our global events, we will be running it at FESPA Middle East 2025 – as we did in the year prior. The feature offers valuable insights into sustainable production and it showcases a range of eco-friendly graphics and textile samples. Located on stand G30 in the Dubai Exhibition Centre, it’s the perfect place for those wishing to learn about sustainable substrates and how to reduce their environmental footprint.
We will also will have six sessions within our conference programme, including individual presentations and panel discussions, covering a range of sustainability topics – from reducing costs through to optimising energy and resources, and much more.
Event Highlights and Innovations
What unique highlights can attendees expect at FESPA Middle East 2025, especially in terms of new technology or key exhibitors?
At FESPA Middle East 2025 visitors will be able to experience a strong line-up of educational content designed to inspire and empower. The event will facilitate learning in the conference programme, where international speakers and industry experts will discuss topics including driving business growth, personalisation, future technologies such as AI, and sustainability in print.
World Wrap Masters – Middle East, part of FESPA’s global competition series showcasing the skill and creativity of wrap installers, will also take place at FESPA Middle East.
In addition, the popular Sustainability Spotlight will return, showcasing over 100 sustainable print material samples with details and insights on waste reduction and resource optimisation.
More than 150 brands will be present at FESPA Middle East 2025, including: 3M, Berger, CMYK Digital Solutions, Desert Sign, Epson, Flex-Europa, Flora, HP, Mimaki, Mutoh, Signtrade and SwissQPrint.
Could you tell us more about any new product launches, demonstrations, or workshops planned for FESPA Middle East 2025?
World Wrap Masters is a global competition series that celebrates the art of vinyl wrapping. It brings together skilled wrap installers to showcase their creativity, precision and technique in wrapping vehicles and other surfaces. The World Wrap Masters – Middle East competition will include live demonstrations, expert training, and networking at FESPA Middle East, promoting excellence within the vinyl wrapping industry. Competition winners will be able to participate in the World Wrap Masters Final at FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin, from 6-9 May, 2025.
In the third edition of FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX) at FESPA Middle East, key leaders in speciality print will offer presentations and insights to: encourage knowledge sharing among experts and peers; exchange ideas and experiences to increase the transparency within the industry and help raise standards; and provide inspiration on how attendees can maximise their businesses’ potential and drive growth.
Solutions on display at FESPA Middle East 2025 will include digital, flatbed, direct-to-garment printing and engraving technologies. In addition, visitors will be able to see how materials such as textiles, vinyl, adhesives, wrapping films, consumables and inks are used in a variety of printing applications, and learn about how they can be used to drive productivity and profitability.
Supporting Regional Businesses and Talent
How does FESPA Middle East support local and regional businesses, especially small to medium enterprises, in staying competitive?
FESPA Middle East empowers small- and medium-sized printing businesses by giving them access to cutting-edge printing technologies from global exhibitors; insights on the latest industry trends; and opportunities to connect with global suppliers. The event also offers insightful workshops and speaker sessions, networking opportunities, and educational resources such as FESPA’s Sustainability Spotlight.
Are there any specific programs or collaborations designed to attract young talent to the print industry within the Middle East?
We are starting to embrace ways in which we can encourage young people into the industry in Europe and we hope to bring these insights and initiatives to the Middle East region in the future as we continue to build the show.
Future of FESPA Middle East
What future goals does FESPA Middle East have to strengthen the print community in the region over the next five years?
Over the next five years, we plan to build stronger networks between our global and local stakeholders. Our focus will remain on empowering businesses to adapt to evolving market demands and drive growth, while operating as sustainably as possible.
How do you envision FESPA Middle East evolving to address potential challenges and opportunities in the print industry?
FESPA Middle East will address challenges such as rising material costs, possible supply chain disruptions and new talent shortages, through stakeholder partnerships, knowledge-sharing initiatives and youth engagement programmes. Our organising team also remains open and transparent with the print community in the region. This enables us to respond to feedback and continue delivering an event that best serves the community and its needs.
Challenges and Opportunities
With the rise of digital media, how does FESPA Middle East encourage print as a viable and valuable medium?
FESPA Middle East shines a spotlight on the latest printing technologies, which enable the creation of high-impact visuals that powerfully complement digital media. Print also facilitates personalisation, which provides a wealth of commercial opportunities for businesses. By promoting eco-friendly materials and sustainable printing techniques, FESPA Middle East also demonstrates print’s adaptability to new and growing consumer demands. Ultimately, print remains a critical part of today’s marketing and communication strategies.
