Events have gotten bigger and better with larger floor spaces witnessing record numbers of visitor footfalls and closures of business deals; Middle East and Africa are no longer mere participants in global print-pack events, but have played host to some of the best exhibitions, underscoring the rising importance of the region in the global market
2024 has been an eventful year for the printing and packaging industry featuring a great number of successfully-held exhibitions and trade shows. The events have provided common platforms for industry professionals from around to world to converge and see the latest state-of-the-art and futuristic technologies firsthand. Events have gotten bigger and better with larger floor spaces witnessing record numbers of visitor footfalls and closures of business deals.
Given the huge number of industry expos that have taken place in the calendar year 2024, stretching all the way from the Americas to the Far East, from Europe to Africa, only a few of the most popular ones have been featured.
drupa 2024: The Marquee Event for Printing Technologies
This year’s marquee event was undoubtedly drupa 2024 (28 May – 7 June, 2024) held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The largest printing technologies exhibition in the world drew to a successful close with many innovations on show having made a lasting impact on the future of the printing and packaging industry.
The global reach of drupa 2024 was statistically very much evident. 76% of the total 1,614 exhibitors were international exhibitors. Similarly, 80% of visitors were international attendees coming from 174 countries, a record figure.
Automation took centre stage at this year’s drupa, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and smart workflows, including software solutions. Traditional industry leaders presented a wide range of digital solutions, while digital pioneers integrated conventional components into their offerings. Robotics played an important role in the exhibition halls and illustrated the path towards the smart factory. Many key players also reported having signed contracts that significantly exceeded expectations.
“At drupa 2024, we experienced at first hand just how relevant and resilient this industry is. The community is determined to set the course for the future together. The dialogue with the people from all continents and from all areas of the industry was extremely enriching and inspiring. We welcomed around 50 large delegates from various nations, and numerous globally active associations and organisations have chosen drupa as the ideal setting for their conferences and board meetings,” comments Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.
Middle East & Africa: A Growing Hub for Print-Pack Events
The Middle East and Africa region has blossomed into a major hub of economic growth and innovation with excellent connectivity coupled with an explosion of infrastructure projects, retail developments, and increased technological adoption. This transformation is also vividly seen in the paper, printing, packaging, and related industries, as regional players are no longer mere participants in global print-pack events, but have played host to some of the best exhibitions such as Gulf Print & Pack, FESPA Middle East, SGI Dubai, etc., underscoring the rising importance of the Middle East and Africa in the global market.
As more and more of such high-profile events are being staged successfully each year, the region’s significance within the industry has grown immensely, making it a dynamic and exciting destination for major players and industry professionals wanting to increase their footprint in the Middle East and Africa.
Gulf Print & Pack 2024 (9-11 January, 2024), the leading technology trade show for printers and Print Service Providers (PSPs) held in Dubai, UAE, saw strong regional participation and unveiled many cutting-edge products and solutions. The 250-odd exhibitors showcased their latest machinery, materials, and software to regional buyers across three busy days.
Overwhelmed by the response, Barry Killengrey, Event Director Gulf Print & Pack 2024, says, “Gulf Print & Pack has delivered beyond our expectations. It’s been fantastic to connect with so many visitors and exhibitors across the MENA region and beyond. There were a lot of business deals signed on the show floor and lots of new innovations came to life across commercial and digital printing.”
The inaugural edition of FESPA Middle East (29-31 January, 2024), held in Dubai, UAE, was a resounding success. The leading print and signage event attracted 150 brand exhibitors, over 4,000 visitors across the three days, and had participants coming from 88 countries. Digital printing technology was the most sought after, besides 3D printing, signage and displays, print suppliers of gifts and promotional products, inks and consumables, and screen printing. One of the key trends that FESPA witnessed was the demand for environmentally friendly products and practices. Other significant trends included faster turnarounds, increased personalisation, and shorter print runs.
Bazil Cassim, Regional Manager – FESPA Middle East, says, “As an inaugural event, FESPA Middle East was extremely well received. Statistically speaking, 92% of them were satisfied with the event. This has provided us with an excellent foundation to build FESPA Middle East into a prominent event for the region’s printers and sign makers.”
Braving extreme weathers, the Paper & Tissue One Show (16-18 April, 2024), once again underscored its preeminence in the global pulp and paper industry, culminating in a successful close even as a storm passed through Abu Dhabi, UAE. The event welcomed an impressive congregation of visitors from 110 countries, reinforcing its status as the industry’s pivotal meeting point.
The show featured over 268 exhibitors from 35 countries, highlighting their own unique contributions to the pulp and paper industry. The event was a grand success from the business point of view, with deals exceeding AED 2 billion.
Işıl Bandakçıoğlu, General Manager at Al Furat Group – the organiser of the event – comments on the relocation and the success of the event: “In every edition, the Paper & Tissue One Show expands, becoming the premier meeting point of the industry in our new home. Based on the feedback from participants, this year we relocated our exhibition to Abu Dhabi. The superior facilities at ADNEC and the region’s role as a hub for the paper industry confirmed that this was the right choice. The positive responses from our surveys and discussions have been gratifying.”
Propaper Dubai 2024 (17-19 September, 2024), the MENA region’s leading paper, paperboard, corrugation, packaging, and hygiene tissue industry exhibition and trade conference attracted 4,598 visitors from 84 countries, signifying the salience of the growing industry segment and potential growth prospects in the region.
“Propaper Dubai 2024 was a huge success for industry stakeholders associated with the show, and a number of key deals were signed amounting to millions of dollars, making it a win-win for the participants as well as the trade visitors,” says Jeen Joshua, Managing Director at Verifair Dubai, organiser of Propaper Dubai.
The 27th edition of SGI Dubai (24-26 September, 2024), the largest sign and graphic imaging exhibition in the Middle East and Africa, concluded with resounding success in Dubai, UAE, solidifying its reputation as a premier platform for the global printing, signage, and imaging industries. The event featured over 200 local, regional, and international exhibitors from 45 countries and witnessed thousands of visitors from as many as 104 countries.
“SGI Dubai 2024 stands as a beacon of innovation and leadership in the global printing and imaging industry,” says Abdulrahman Falaknaz, President of International Expo-Consults (IEC), the event organiser. “This year, we have delivered an experience that not only highlighted the latest technologies but also fostered essential connections to drive the industry forward.”
Paperworld Middle East, co-located with Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East (12-14 November, 2024), wrapped up the largest-ever editions in Dubai, UAE, with 615 exhibitors from 39 countries attracting 12,000 visitors.
“Paperworld Middle East and Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East have closed on a high note, marking our largest and most diverse edition yet. This year, we have brought together a truly international showcase of products and innovations across six halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, along with dedicated pavilions from key markets. This event exemplifies the thriving connections and business opportunities driving our industry forward,” Syed Ali Akbar, Show Director, Paperworld Middle East and Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, comments.
In the last few years, Saudi Arabia – one of the fastest growing economies in the MENA region – has also emerged as a strong player in printing and packaging, hosting several top-notch events for the first time.
Saudi Signage Expo (5-7 March, 2024), held in Riyadh was one such. The inaugural edition turned out to be the largest event for the digital, print, graphics, and imaging industries. The event featured products and services under six key sectors and had a blend of local and international exhibitors, providing a veritable platform for business engagements for over 100 exhibitors.
“We are thrilled to open Saudi Signage Expo, facilitating more than 5,000 buyers the chance to meet with exhibitors and procure cutting-edge digital, print, graphics, and imaging materials, equipment, and services. The event’s busy aisles were a testament to the increasing need for signage solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where companies recognise the role played by signage in enhancing brand visibility, communication effectiveness, and overall customer engagement,” says Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President at dmg events, the event organiser.
Paper ME and co-located Print 2 Pack (18-20 November, 2024) also made their successful debut in the Kingdom. The dual events showcased some of the most innovative paper, printing, packaging, and plastics technologies to cater to the massive industrial needs of Saudi Arabia and the entire GCC region. International exhibitors participated enthusiastically as an opportunity to open new markets in the region.
The dual events also provided platforms to build strategic partnerships, sign profitable deals, expand customer base and business reach, boost brand awareness, and maximise ROI, among a host of other benefits for both the exhibitors and visitors.
Africa too, like the Middle East, has been turning heads among the printing and packaging community, by successfully hosting several region-based events, which have gained the admiration of industry professionals around the globe.
The 2nd edition of Propak Ghana (23-25 April, 2024) welcomed a drove of visitors and industry professionals to the capital city of Accra. West Africa’s largest packaging, plastics, food processing, and print exhibition featured more than 120 global suppliers showcasing their latest machinery and equipment with around 2,500 industry professionals in attendance.
The conference programme, which ran alongside the exhibition, gave participants an opportunity to gain exclusive market insights from a line-up of industry think tanks and experts with a series of presentations and panel discussions.
The 11th edition of Propak West Africa (10-12 September, 2024), the region’s largest packaging, food processing, plastics, labelling, and print exhibition held in Lagos, Nigeria, had nearly 250 companies from around the world showcasing their product innovations and services to an audience of over 5,500 highly-engaged professionals from across the packaging supply chain, providing opportunities to connect and network, and gain new business connections.
“This year was our biggest and best exhibition yet!” says Marketing & Operations Director Jamie Pearson of Afrocet Montgomery, the event organiser. “The immersive three-day event was packed with opportunities to explore, learn, and network with industry leaders and innovators.”
Other Global Print-Pack Events
FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 (19-22 March, 2024) had an impressive show in Amsterdam, Netherlands, revealing the vast opportunities on offer to the sector. Co-located with European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, and the inaugural Sportswear Pro, the four events and the extensive feature and conference programme unveiled new opportunities, highlighting thousands of innovations and trends, as well as new vertical market prospects.
Firming up investment plans was high on the agenda of visitors to the four co-located events with 92% of the audience looking to invest in equipment in the next 12 months.
Michael Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo and Sportswear Pro, comments, “Feedback from our visitors was extremely positive, praising the quality of our international exhibiting community showcasing solutions dedicated to specialty print and signage. It’s a truly unique feeling to meet with so many like-minded businesses and to connect people from all around the world with the same purpose – to grow and develop our industry and this incredible community.”
Labelexpo India 2024 (14-17 November, 2024), saw India’s label and package printing machinery suppliers dominate the event held in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, India. With over 90% of exhibitors being Indian companies, the 2024 edition marked the industry’s emergence as a key player on the world stage. At the same time, Labelexpo India 2024 was the biggest and most vibrant show in the event’s history, drawing 13,752 visitors, and attracting a record total of 70 first-time exhibitors.
Jade Grace, Managing Director, Labelexpo Global Series, comments, “I am delighted to report that Labelexpo India 2024 was a great success. The Indian supplier industry is really thriving due to rapid advances in technology as well as innovation coming from homegrown talent. India reflects similar trends with other regions in seeing label converters moving into flexible packaging and folding cartons.”
Moving further east from India, WEPACK 2024 (10-12 April, 2024) reaped success in Shenzhen, China. The 6-in-1 packaging series, including SinoCorrugated South 2024, SinoFolding Carton 2024, DPrint 2024, SinoPaper South 2024, Food Pack & Tech 2024, and PACKON, spanned the whole packaging industrial chain by integrating six major sectors. Besides numerous product launches and signing ceremonies hosted by the exhibitors, WEPACK 2024 also saw over 200 new products make their global debut. The 2024 edition was the biggest so far, seeing an impressive footfall of 57,876 domestic and overseas visitors.
SIGN CHINA 2024 (19-21 September, 2024) also ended on a high note in Shanghai, the largest sign production hub in China. The event, tailormade for global sign professionals, showcased the latest trends in graphics, printing, signage, LEDs, and smart displays in the China sign market. Over 2,000 brands were displayed.
The 24th edition of SIGN CHINA was structured around six topics that covered every aspect of the industry, offering integrated solutions and fresh ideas for various applications, from billboards and wall advertising to guide signage, vehicle advertising, exhibitions, store decorations, and more.
Print-Pack Events See Promising Future
With the vast majority of the printing and packaging exhibitions in 2024 exceeding expectations in terms of sheer numbers, be they in the form of technologies, exhibitors, visitors, forums, or business deals, the industry is buoyant, looking ahead to a promising future.
