Monday, 03 Apr 2017 17:00 GMT

Rudi Blackett

Rudi Blackett, portfolio director of Sign and Digital UK, tells Jo Golding about the history of the exhibition and how it has changed over the last 30 years to become a key sign event

Sign and Digital continues to evolve

How has the show changed since it started?

30 years ago, there was no Facebook, no Twitter, no iPads, or tablets. Since then our world has changed considerably.

The show moved to the NEC in the late 1980s and it has been held there ever since. In the early days, it was known as Sign UK. Faversham House bought the show in 2000 from Miller Freeman, and in 2003 launched Digital Expo as a co-located show alongside Sign UK. In 2008 the event was re-branded as Sign and Digital UK to reflect the growing use of digital products in the sign market. The Sign and Digital UK branding has remained in place and has a high profile in the industry.

Some of the very early equipment such as the original Graphex 3, Roland Camm-1, and Gerber Edge were game changers, but are now a world away from the current crop of new technologies. Over time the exhibitor list has changed as well. In the 1990s companies like Robert Horne Group, Cox Plastics, B and P Lightbrigade, and Andersons had significant presences at the event. In the 2000s and to the present day, major corporate names like HP, Canon, Epson, Fujifilm, Roland DG, Mimaki, Mutoh, and Agfa have seen the opportunity to quickly build presence and market share.

The show has a loyal following and there are many suppliers at this year’s show such as Grafityp, Graphtec, AXYZ, Colourgen, Signwaves, Print Max, Signmaster, Vivid, Granthams, Ultima Displays, Jetrix/Inktec, Dorotape, Hexis, GPT, i-sub, QPS, Perfect Colours, GDL, Clarity Software, GESS, Trotec, Awards Crafters, the Magic Touch, and Novachrome, to name a few, who have supported the event for many years.

How does it feel for Sign and Digital UK to have achieved 30 years as an exhibition?

I feel privileged, proud, and absolutely delighted. Very few other trade shows can claim that milestone, and it is really testament to our partners, exhibitors, and visitors that the show has played such as pivotal role over so many years and remains a very key date in the sign industry’s calendar.

It is really testament to our partners, exhibitors, and visitors that the show has played such as pivotal role over so many years and remains the key date in the industry calendar”

 
We always work hard each year to refresh and bring new energy to the event. The show has a rich history and has played a valuable role in tracking and leading the industry’s progress and developments.

Sign and Digital UK will continue to provide the annual business showcase for many years to come and I am sure the industry will have taken several significant leaps forward in the next 30 years.

Can you tell me about this year’s theme?

‘Applications, ideas and advice’ is this year’s show theme. We always try to match our show theme with where the market is now and where it is going, and what the priorities are in respect of getting the best return possible from a visit to the show.


Papergraphics at Sign and Digital UK 2016 educating visitors on the correct application of wallcoverings



Sign and Digital UK is very much a business event, but also a learning event. You can not only benefit from the wide range of choice of products, but also get the best ideas and advice about new techniques and new revenue streams. Exhibitors will have their technical staff on hand to answer any questions and help you understand the many applications now available. 

There are a growing number of materials suppliers at the show such as Antalis, Hexis, Dorotape, and APA exhibiting as applications and output take centre stage in the quest for new creative concepts and display options.

Have you noticed any trends in the sign industry for 2017?

We are now seeing a growing range of substrates and materials, advances in finishing systems, and a wider range of output and applications such as textile print and soft signage. Interior décor and display continues to be a market that is growing. Digital signage also has a higher presence at the event this year.

Interior décor and display continues to be a market that is growing”


How many exhibitors are at this year’s show and do they range in their areas of expertise?

There will be over 180 exhibitors showing hundreds of brands at this year’s show. Everything from laser engraving and CNC cutting through to flatbed printing, finishing, and sign systems, giving visitors the perfect chance to contrast and compare before making their next equipment purchase or choosing a supplier.

We have also responded to visitors’ requests to list the hundreds of brands at the show alongside the suppliers. This makes the visitor’s time far more effective as they can easily identify which stands will be showing that particular branded product they are interested in.

Product launches are always a key feature of Sign and Digital UK. Soyang Europe, Colourgen, Dataplot, InkTec/Jetrix, Hybrid Services, Trotec, Innova, and Canon will all be launching new products at the show. Sign and Digital UK is also known as the place to discover innovative new brands, and this year is no exception. The show will feature many new and returning exhibitors in 2017, including Brett Martin, Arken POP, Boxford, and APA.

Are you seeing growth in the number of visitors to the show each year?

We had 6,240 unique visitors at the 2016 show. Our visitor attendance figures are audited by the BPA worldwide, which gives our exhibitors absolute clarity when deciding where to spend their exhibition budget. Our visitor profile consists of a growing number of end-user big brands as well as sign-making companies, digital graphic bureaus, local government and education decision makers, design agencies, and commercial printers. 

Some 3,885 companies visited the 2016 event, which demonstrates that many visitors attend as decision making groups. We are expecting more than 6,500 visitors to the 2017 show, and it is quite possible that there will be significantly more.

Why should a sign-maker take time out to visit Sign and Digital UK?

Any sign-maker running a business should look at this as the one time in the year when you can learn about new products, speak to a range of new suppliers, pick up key advice from industry experts, and see exactly where your industry is now and where it is going.

It is also a great opportunity to meet with your peers and industry colleagues to find out how they run their businesses. If you are looking to invest in new products, there is nowhere else in the UK where you can see and compare the wide range of products on show. We look forward to seeing you at Sign and Digital UK 2017.



Key stats

  • 30th anniversary of Sign and Digital UK
  • 1980s the show moved to the NEC
  • 2008 the event re-branded as Sign and Digital UK
  • 180+ exhibitors at this year’s show



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