The organising team behind Printing United has confirmed that the 2020 edition of the show is on track as planned, and will run 21-23 October at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Printing United only debuted last year, but the 2020 show is set to top one million square feet – more than 92,000sqm – of show floor space, having already surpassed the total square feet sold in 2019 earlier this year.

Given the ongoing impact of the global coronavirus pandemic, industry events and trade shows have been postponed throughout the spring and summer of this year, and rescheduled largely for 2021. More recently, Tarsus has confirmed it has postponed Labelexpo Americas 2020 from its September dates to March next year. The co-located Brand Print Americas, a launch event targeting various other segments of the print industry, has been similarly rescheduled.

However, Printing United Alliance has detailed its plans to keep the doors open for the second edition of Printing United, and the steps being taken to ensure visitor and exhibitor safety. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Social distancing protocols throughout GWCC;
  • Touchless services, from parking to registration, food and beverage, and more;
  • Enhanced signage and communication for social distancing and hygiene guidelines;
  • Temperature checks for on-site attendees, exhibitors and venue staff;
  • Increased sanitation and cleaning regiments, including access to more sanitiser stations; and
  • Traffic flow patterns to support proper crowd density.

Moreover, Printing United Alliance has been closely monitoring all developments as related to COVID-19 and is working closely with the team at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), local and state authorities, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security specialising in mass gatherings, on all decisions and guidelines relating to the health and safety of all staff, exhibitors and attendees. GWCCA has developed a comprehensive business return plan to meet the health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19. Comprehensive measures will be shared as the event draws nearer, building on the above.

Printing United Alliance itself was only recently formed by the merger of industry associations SGIA and PIA. The organisation stated that it ‘continues to be committed in helping the printing industry navigate the COVID-19 pandemic’, with Printing United 2020, ‘the next step in helping the industry reopen its businesses and plan for the future.’

Andy Paparozzi, chief economist at Printing United Alliance, commented, ‘Key indicators suggest the economy will grow robustly in 2021, giving the printing industry a big boost. Printing United’s unparalleled networking and educational opportunities will prepare attendees to participate fully in the upturn ahead.’

Mark J. Subers, president at Printing United, said, ‘The support and desire from the industry to come together again after such an unanticipated interruption in business this year has been overwhelming. Printing United has become the venue in 2020 to assist business operations in not just sustaining but helping that upward trajectory for future success. We have and will continue to survey our past constituents on their interest and ability to be at the show and are preparing accordingly.’

As an event, Printing United brings multiple print segments together under one roof. With the postponement of drupa and the like, it currently sits with the rescheduled Fespa as one of the few physical industry events set to take place in the Western Hemisphere in the second half of 2020. This will give exhibitors a location to debut new products and technologies that have so far been either delayed or launched virtually, as well as giving the industry the chance to come together and reconnect under one roof, ‘to reunite and reset’ according to Printing United Alliance.

From commercial to industrial and packaging to apparel, Printing United Alliance claimed that companies from all industry segments have so far signed on to exhibit at Printing United 2020, with many expanding their space to accommodate even more technology. Special educational sessions have also been added from analysts and consultants to help put companies that are reopening on the right track for planning next year.

Mr Subers continued, ‘Printing United may be the only opportunity for the industry to gather in 2020, so we are ensuring that this event will be safe and will deliver, both from an attendee and exhibitor standpoint. Businesses are making the most of their time and resources to see and experience it all under one roof this year in Atlanta. We are in this together and look forward to continuing to work with our partners to do whatever is necessary to keep businesses headed in the right direction.’