PRINTING United Expo Day Three: A Smashing Success

During the third day of the annual PRINTING United Expo, the thoughts of many turn toward the end of the show. How was it? Was it successful? How many registrants? It begins to be sort of past tense. That said, it was clear that event attendees didn’t get that memo. They forged onto the trade show floor in the morning determined to clarify their decisions and finalize purchases, and the show delivered for them

Part of the magic of the annual Expo is that it encompasses the broadest view of the printing industry. It’s a place where wide-format and other producers can step through the door and see their futures, their paths forward, and the opportunities they will pursue.

New and Updated Equipment

If there is a key observation related to wide-format printers, it’s evidenced by increased levels of automation and efficiency, as seen in new systems introduced by HP; a mix of higher capability and affordability, shown in new systems from Mimaki; and technology advancements that increase reliability and minimize spoilage. This is not a segment in the technological stall. Not even close.

Beyond that, the slew of increasingly useful finishing technologies, application-building new materials, and software solutions that increase capability and heighten quality, continues to grow.

The Expo Experience

The vibe on the show floor was indeed strong. The hum of machines and the mix of motivated voices raised the energy just as much as the striking, colorful graphics on display. Those who came here as attendees certainly came to source (and perhaps purchase) equipment, and they also came to experience, learn, and learn from each other. One area among many that garnered attendee interest was the Print AI pavilion, which hosted packed, standing-room-only presentations from experts working at the forefront of print and AI integration.

Educational sessions, on-the-floor demonstrations, specialized training zones and more provided a wealth of information for those seeking to slake their thirst for knowledge. Regarding the attendee experience, this is, simply put, too much for one person to take in during a three day – and that’s a good thing. Given so many choices, attendees were able to choose their own experiences, and in so doing, craft their own futures.

The Exhibitor Experience

Meeting exhibitors on the Expo floor, I make it an annual habit to ask, “How’s the show going?” Some years, their responses are a mixed bag.

But not this year.

“Busy” was the most common response I received, and I heard from a few OEMs that they had med their “hoped for” number of qualified leads from the event by the middle of the second day. So, for many, this third day was frosting – a sweet treat.

And as three o’clock passes, the role of the exhibiting companies will change as they work to convert leads into customers and prospects into partners.

Looking Ahead

While Chris Curran, group president, media of events at PRINTING United Expo referred to the Orlando Expo as “best PRINTING United ever,” I would add to that statement a single, final word, “yet.” Expectations are high for the 2026 PRINTING United Expo, Sept. 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Editor’s Note

Wide-format Impressions extends a huge shout-out to the entire PRINTING United Alliance staff, whose profound commitment and hard work delivered reality to a hoped-for, record-breaking number of 30,000 registrants. Awesome!