Benny Landa to keynote EFI Connect conference

Landa, whose Nanographic printing presses where one of the highlights of Drupa, will participate in a "fireside chat" with EFI chief executive Guy Gecht at the company's 14th annual Connect users conference, being held from 15-18 January 2013 at The Wynn Las Vegas.

Having announced his triumphant return to the industry he left following the sale of his original digital print company Indigo to HP at Print 01, Landa will no-doubt be a star guest at EFI's conference.

However, with Landa Group yet to reveal details of the digital front end (DFE) partners for its Nanographic presses, his appearance at Connect has prompted speculation that EFI could be poised to announce a tie-up between its Fiery DFE business and Landa Group.

EFI vice president of corporate marketing Frank Tueckmantel declined to comment on the speculation although he said that EFI would naturally "be happy to become a [Landa] partner".

Landa has previously said that the group would use DFE partners rather than developing its own. In an interview with PrintWeek earlier this year, he said: "We are working with leading front-end companies for front end capability.

"We're not going to develop our own, we develop only those things that we have to develop that you can't buy elsewhere, and in this case you can buy it."

In a press release announcing Landa's keynote, EFI chief executive Guy Gecht said: "We are excited that Benny will be joining us at Connect this January. As we are preparing for an outstanding Connect, which will be focused on the growth opportunities for our industry, I'm personally very much looking forward to hearing Benny's insights and unique industry vision."

Landa added: "EFI is an industry leader and I look forward to sharing our vision with EFI users on how Nanography can bring digital printing to mainstream applications."

For more information and to register for EFI Connect, visit www.efi.com/connect. Early bird pricing is available until 30 September.