Episode 12 - Chris Davies & Luke Stoneham of The Print Show

Summary

In this episode of the Printerviews podcast, Colin is joined by Chris and Luke from The Print Show. They discuss their backgrounds in the print industry and how they got involved in organising The Print Show. They also talk about the trends they have observed in the industry, such as advances in digital print and the importance of diversification.

The event hosts share their experiences and challenges in organising The Print Show and emphasize the importance of creating a valuable and informative experience for both exhibitors and attendees. The conversation covers various topics related to the UK Print Show, including the importance of marketing, the challenges faced by small businesses in attending events, and the value of networking and human interaction. They  also share funny stories from past shows and discuss the future of the industry and the Print Show.

Takeaways

  • The print show provides a platform for both small and large businesses in the print industry to showcase their products and services.
  • Advances in digital print have significantly improved the quality and capabilities of printed materials.
  • Diversification is a key trend in the print industry, with businesses expanding their offerings to meet the changing needs of customers.
  • Organizing a trade show like the print show is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, requiring careful planning and execution.
  • The print show aims to provide a valuable and informative experience for both exhibitors and attendees, with a focus on showcasing new technologies and industry trends. The UK Print Show is committed to giving back to the industry by investing in marketing and promoting the event.
  • Attending trade shows like the Print Show provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the latest technologies, gain knowledge from industry professionals, and network with others in the industry.
  • Small to medium businesses should consider attending the Print Show to benefit from the educational content, exhibitors, and networking opportunities.
  • The industry is constantly evolving, and print businesses need to adapt and embrace new technologies to stay relevant.
  • Human interaction and networking will always be important, even as technology advances.
  • The future of the industry may involve changes in publishing, such as a shift to online models or subscription-based models.
  • The Print Show aims to be a key event in the UK, providing a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services and connect with potential customers.
  • The show organizers are constantly evolving and looking for ways to improve the event and meet the needs of exhibitors and attendees.

Titles

  • Challenges and Rewards of Organizing the Print Show
  • The Evolution of the Print Show: From Idea to Reality Funny Stories from Past Print Shows
  • The Print Show as a Key Event in the UK

Sound Bites

  • "It's literally the first thing that goes on my marketing plan each year and I can't imagine not being a part of it."
  • "We want to be more than just a three day event where you go to the NEC to look around. You can actually get involved, speak to people in the evening, come to the gala dinner, print show party, and actually pick people's brains over a beer."
  • "The print show aims to provide a valuable and informative experience for both exhibitors and attendees, with a focus on showcasing new technologies and industry trends."
  • "We give a lot of that back in marketing as well."
  • "It's the people you don't know and the things you're not aware of."
  • "We want the visitor experience to come back every year, not just one off."

Chapters  

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:58 Getting Involved in the Print Industry

08:19 Advances in Digital Print

09:45 Diversification in the Print Industry

14:31 Challenges of Organizing the Print Show

29:50 Keeping the Print Show Relevant

33:37 The Importance of Marketing and Giving Back to the Industry

36:00 The Value of Attending Trade Shows for Small Businesses

46:57 Funny Stories from Past Print Shows

49:23 Getting to Know the Event Hosts: Chris and Luke

51:47 Highlighting Educational Content at the Print Show

54:06 The Future of the Industry and the Print Show

57:49 The Role of Human Interaction and Networking

01:00:15 Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Publishing

01:02:39 The Print Show as a Key Event in the UK

01:04:03 Constant Evolution and Improvement of the Print Show  

Keywords  

print show, print industry, trends, digital print, diversification, challenges, exhibitors, attendees, UK Print Show, marketing, small businesses, networking, industry future