An important date to mark in your calendar of events during 2013 would be the Gulf Print & Pack show. It brings home the latest developments in commercial and packaging printing and offers solutions to the entire spectrum of printing professionals and design agencies. The next edition of the exhibition will be held from 8 to 11 April 2013 at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dubai, UAE. As the excitement mounts up, ME Printer Magazine caught up with Roger Pellow, Director of Labels Group of Tarsus Group plc, to know what Gulf Print & Pack has in stock for the industry.
How much space has already been booked?
With six months left before the show opens for business, 81% of stand space has been already sold.
What would be the major focus on this edition of GPP?
Gulf Print & Pack 2013 will focus on several key areas: conventional and digital package printing, commercial printing, labels and the overall opportunities that digital offers to printers. Covering the main growth areas and latest innovations, the show is aimed across the spectrum of printing professionals through to brand owners and designers. The four day exhibition will showcase the latest developments in technology and materials through up close and live demonstrations and new product launches.
What is your expectation from the show?
Since being launched in 1997, the show has fast become the region’s largest and most important show for anyone in the printing and package marketplace. With over 300 exhibitors, Gulf Print & Pack 2013 is set to be larger than before and we are hoping to attract around 9,000 visitors compared to 8,187 in 2011.
While major companies such as HP and Heidelberg are pulling out of exhibitions such as Ipex, do you believe there are more opportunities for regional shows such as GPP?
I don’t believe that there are really any fewer or more opportunities to be gained from regional shows. It depends on the market sector in which the show operates and how that industry is performing. However, when you have a fast emerging market where an industry is in its relative infancy, the growth opportunities can be tremendous. The Middle East is an interesting and exciting region because it is still undergoing much change. Political and commercial changes are in turn driving opportunities, increased personal wealth and more demand for consumer goods which leads to new prospects opening for package, label and general printers.”
Will we see more focus on digital technology in next year’s event?
Absolutely. As with all of our shows such as Labelexpo Americas, Labelexpo Asia and the South China Label Show, we are seeing a growing demand for digital technologies and business models as more printers look at what digital can do for their business’ service offering and profit margins. The quality and capabilities of digital printing is improving all the time and offers a lucrative return especially for short runs because it suits the modern supply chain and it can simplify complexity and reduce costs.”
