The number istill subject to audit, but reflects an increase of some 22% on the 2010 show. This, says FHG, reflects a renewed optimism in the market and the event’s role in showcasing the latest sign making and digital printing products and services.
Rudi Blackett, event director for Sign & Digital UK is delighted with the show’s performance: “The combination of interactive demos and specialist advice, coupled with the wide range of products and applications on display, made the show a fantastic showpiece for our industry. I would like to thank all exhibitors and visitors for their part in making the show such a great success.”

Visitors to the show shared in the sense of optimism. ‘’I’ve found this a really worthwhile trip,” said Geoff Rile of GWR Design & Illustration, while Haydn Pryor of Trust Mark Design & Print Ltd thought Sign & Digital UK a: “Really good show, I come every year and will certainly be back. I came to visit the Roland stand and did make a purchase.”

“We are a small print shop and this is our fourth year coming to the show. We are looking at a range of materials for external signage and identify different hardware to use. We’re impressed with the professionalism in such a tough market and it’s definitely been worth the visit,” said Ian Forsythe of Forsythe and Steele.

Exhibitors also found the event particularly good this year and the increased numbers of quality visitors was the contributing factor. “As a newcomer to the graphics market, I am impressed with the quality and more importantly quantity of the leads we gained. Having attended many shows in other sectors of the digital printing market, this show really exceeded my expectations” said Erik Norman, VP Sales & Marketing for Reprographic Technology International.
Emerson Welch of Clarity Software said: “Once again, Sign & Digital UK has delivered in quality, quantity and closed sales for Clarity Software. This is a key event in our calendar.”

Graham de Kock, City & West End solutions said “Our stand featured a European launch of the Seiko W64S and we also sold printers off the stand.”

Duncan Jefferies – marketing manager at Hybrid Services,  Mimaki’s UK & Ireland distributor, said the event was: “The ideal opportunity for us to launch five major new Mimaki products of which all were very well received by the visitors. We enjoyed three busy days - the interest on our stand and machine orders placed with Mimaki resellers at the show was extremely strong.’’

Nicola Bisset, group md at Optimus said: “It is our first time exhibiting and we will be returning. The attendance was good and the lead quality was excellent with many of the visitors being decision makers.

Next year’s event is scheduled for March 27-29, 2012 at the NEC, Birmingham.