Whilst the African continent as a whole may be considered the 3rd world by many, the African printing industry, including the wide format sector is without a doubt 1st world and growing at a huge rate. FESPA Africa 2014 is set to prove it.
The show will be the largest exhibition in the region to date after securing commitment from major industry players. A large number of global companies including Canon, Agfa, Mimaki, Fujifilm and Epson have confirmed their most significant presence to date. Increased exhibitor interest means that FESPA Africa and Africa Print event is 50% larger than the 2013 edition*. 
Other leading brands who will showcase their latest products include platinum sponsors Roland and Avery Dennison, as well as manufacturers HP, Kornit Digital, DTG Digital, Durst, Antalis, MS Italy, Sharp, OKI, Evonik, swissQprint, and Vista System International.
25% of exhibitors this year have increased their stand from 2013*, and 28% of exhibitors are new to the combined FESPA Africa and Africa Print event. With the broadest range of manufacturers and distributors in the region to date, the event promises to provide visitors with a comprehensive showcase of technology, including a strong line-up of screen printing manufacturers, with global players like MHM, M&R, Extris and Fimor all present.
The event, taking place from 2-4 July at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, is set to attract visitors from across Southern Africa. With invite support from FESPA, last year's edition of Africa Print gained an increase in international attendees coming from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Bob Glenister, CEO Telpro Management, Roland distributor for Southern Africa comments: "FESPA's partnership with Africa Print has showed a vote of confidence in the African visual communication industry. We see FESPA Africa 2014 as the platform to present the South African industry example to the rest of Africa and the world. Showing the possibilities of the region's printers, it is also an excellent opportunity to network and build relationships with new and existing customers."
"This is the first time Canon South Africa is exhibiting at the event, in the past our solutions were exhibited through our partner channel. We have a large presence at FESPA Africa in order to launch Canon South Africa as a premier supplier of print solutions to the market. FESPA is a massive brand, especially in the wide format market and we believe the event will not only attract local visitors, but also those from Sub-Saharan Africa,' states Jimmy de Waal, Production Print Product Manager: Business Imaging Group, Canon South Africa.
FESPA Africa
www.fespaafrica.com
