Ipex marketing director Sarah Harvey said that pre-registration was "flying" with nearly 3,000 registrations yesterday (Monday 27 March) alone and 23,000 in the past two weeks.

To date 66% of pre registered visitors have been from the UK, which Harvey said was "absolutely where we wanted it to be as we were aiming for 35% of visitors to be from overseas".

She added that interest from the print buying community had also been strong with a "huge level of interest" from design and ad agencies.

Hot topics for Ipex visitors planning to expand their businesses are print management services and digital print according to pre-registration information.

"The feeling among the Ipex team is that people have got the need to register in advance," she said. "But anyone who hasn't done it yet has still got time to and to save 30."

The Innov8 conference programme and the training seminars have also been well received with the keynotes almost fully booked and some spaces left in other sessions. 

Two more firms have come forward with "spot" prizes for runners in the 5km charity fun run being held on Sunday 9 April around the NEC.

Agfa has donated a pair of football tickets to see Manchester United play at home, and Ipex organiser IIR has donated a pair to see the Premier league game of the winner's choice.

They join digital cameras courtesy of HP and an Omega Speedmaster watch courtesy of Heidelberg as prizes. There will also be a T-shirt for each runner courtesy of PrintWeek.

The run is being held as a thank you for outgoing Ipex president, Agfa Graphics UK director Laurence Roberts with the proceeds going to the charity of his choice The Children's Trust.

To register or to make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/ipex.