Picon Joins With International Trade Body At Ipex

As the countdown to Ipex 2006 continues to gather pace, Picon, the owner of Ipex, has teamed up with the UK Trade and Investment (UKT and I).

As the countdown to Ipex 2006 continues to gather pace, Picon, the owner of Ipex, has teamed up with the UK Trade and Investment (UKT and I).

UKT and I is the Government organisation that supports companies seeking international business opportunities.

The organisation is to sponsor an international visitor lounge at Ipex in hall 6.

Access to it will be free of charge to all overseas visitors.

It will provide linguists and translators, relaxation and catering facilities, as well as networking and meeting areas.

Also on hand will be international trade advisors from UKT and I.

John Brazier, the chief executive of Picon, said: "With over half of the 950 confirmed exhibitors at Ipex 2006 coming from over 40 different countries outside the UK, and with the line up of dedicated international visitor days during the course of the show, Ipex 2006 is really gearing itself up to be a truly international event." He added: "As the UK's leading business support organisation for manufacturers and suppliers to the print, publishing, papermaking and converting industries, Picon has the contacts and capabilities to put like-minded companies in touch during Ipex, to forge working partnerships and increase global business opportunities for both UK and overseas organisations." And he continued: "The role of the trade exhibition is undoubtedly changing, with international networking and relationship-building being one of the most valuable benefits to attending.

And, with 3,000 square metres of exhibition floor space taken by Chinese and Indian companies alone, the opportunities for global networking during Ipex are endless." Picon will also be using Ipex 2006 to announce the winners of PrintIT! at an awards ceremony, which will be held at the show.

PrintIT! is the industry-wide educational initiative designed to promote the profile of the UK printing industry to young people and encourage them to take up careers in print.

During Ipex 2006, the winners from over 22,000 participating students and 545 schools across the UK will be presented with up to GBP100,000 worth of prizes.

Short listed entries will also be displayed in a PrintIT! gallery situated in Hall 1 on stand G01.

PrintIT! was created and led by Picon, in collaboration with key industry partners including Ipex, Robert Horne Group, The Stationers' Company Educational Charity and Wyndeham Press Group.

It is the first educational initiative of its kind to have attained true industry-wide support and sponsorship, designed to address the potential skills shortage and ageing workforce in the UK printing industry.

Concluded John Brazier: "With a host of new initiatives in place to welcome the overseas visitors, such as the international days, Picon's special international lounge, an agent and distributor 'matchmaking' day, networking events and receptions, as well as the Innov8 theatre, sector-specific days, product trails and technical training, Ipex 2006 will be a must for those wanting to see our industry at its very best." During the show, the Picon team will be based in the 'Toute Suite', located in the main entrance foyer of the NEC.

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