Link Exhibitions, the organiser of the hugely successful The Print Show, has announced the launch of The Sign Show, a brand new event entirely dedicated to the UK sign industry.
• The Sign Show will take place for the first time from September 27th to 29th at the NEC in Birmingham
• The event is entirely dedicated to the UK sign-making sector and committed to helping UK sign companies grow and flourish in the modern market
• The Sign Show will feature a weekend day, making the event accessible to the entire UK sign industry
• The Sign Show will be co-located with The Print Show, the UK’s premier print event that features some of the leading names in wide-format print
For its debut event, The Sign Show will operate under the theme of ‘A Sign of Evolution’, with the idea of showcasing advances in the signage market. The show will serve as a key platform for companies from all corners of the UK sign-making industry to put their latest products, solutions and technologies in front of customers from a whole range of backgrounds.
With the co-location alongside The Print Show, visitors will be on the lookout for expansion opportunities in the wide-format arena, meaning The Sign Show will be the place to be in September.
Chris Davies, event director for The Sign Show and The Print Show, said the new event fills a huge gap in the market and will provide the UK sign-making market with the ideal gathering point to catch up on all the latest goings on in the sector.
“The Sign Show will address all areas of the market, with the aim of helping sign companies of all shapes and sizes identify the tools that they need to grow and succeed in the modern market,” Davies said.
“What is so unique about The Sign Show is that it will be the only event that will focus solely on UK sign-making. From A-boards and vinyl, to fixture and fittings, The Sign Show will have something for everyone.”
Davies also highlights that the show’s opening day will be on a Sunday, which is an entirely new concept in the UK sign market.
“We understand that not all sign businesses will be able to make it to the show in the working week, so by including a weekend day, we are opening up the event to the entire UK sign industry,” Davies said. “We want The Sign Show to be as accessible as possible, as our primary aim is to help sign-makers succeed.”
Special features
The Sign Show expects to welcome thousands of visitors from across the market, playing host to some of the leading names in sign-making technology. Those in attendance will also have access to a host of special in-show features, the full details of which will be unveiled at a later date, but organisers have offered a preview of what’s to come next September.
The ‘It’s a Wrap’ area will allow visitors can learn more about the opportunities in wrapping – a major area of growth for some time now. This will include the more standard vehicle wrap jobs, through to more unique applications such as mobile phones and tablets.
Elsewhere, the Diversification Zone will offer an insight into opportunities in markets related to sign-making, such as promotional print and packaging. The Sign Show will be committed to sign-making solutions, but this section will allow visitors to see the other opportunities available to them.
In addition, as an added bonus for visitors and exhibitors, The Sign Show will be hosting a special celebrity attraction, where those in attendance will be able to meet three famous faces from the world of show business. Details of who will appear will be announced closer to the show, but organisers have confirmed that all visitors can take part in a live Q&A with the celebrities, as well as have a photo taken with the stars and take away an autographed souvenir.
The Print Show
Another unique feature of The Sign Show is that it will be co-located with The Print Show, the UK’s leading print industry event. The Print Show regularly features some of the leading names in wide-format print, with the likes of HP, Mimaki, Epson, Roland DG and EFI having been represented at the event in recent years.
The idea behind the co-location is to allow those sign-making companies that are already offering wide-format print services, or those considering a move into the market, to find out more about the latest developments in the sector. Visitors will be able to cross freely between both events, as The Sign Show and The Print Show will take place in the same halls at the NEC.
“We’re very excited about The Sign Show and truly believe it will be a valuable addition to the UK sign calendar,” Davies said. “We’ll be giving regular updates on exhibitor signings and other developments over the coming months.”
