Williams Lea Tag global chief executive David Kassler kicked off proceedings with an opening keynote highlighting print’s importance in the marketing mix and the efforts the industry has expended to rise to the challenges of the multi-media age.

“When I delved deeper into how much investment there has been, you can really see the efforts that have been made to make it sustainable, innovative, skilled and more importantly an agile channel for businesses today,” he said.

His message was emphasised on the show floor, where the industry’s leading manufacturers, suppliers and service providers used their stands to highlight some of the most innovative technologies and applications available today.

“PrintWeekLive! is the only place in the UK that visitors can hear from some of the industry’s most inspirational speakers, and then use that inspiration to start meaningful discussions with the most innovative manufacturers and suppliers in print, who, in turn, can help turn those ideas into a reality,” said Ed Tranter, managing director of event organiser MA Exhibitions.

“Once again, PrintWeekLive!, its exhibitors and speakers and, of course, its visitors, are a fantastic tribute to the power of print and the possibilities and opportunities it offers.”

As well as a show floor packed with the latest equipment and applications from the likes of Canon, Heidelberg, Riso, Tharstern, Xeikon and Xerox, and the keynote conference programme, PrintWeekLive! features more than 20 workshop sessions across its two days.

The workshop sessions have been developed to highlight best practice, open new revenue streams and offer powerful insights into how printers can embrace some of the future opportunities in the rapidly evolving print industry.

The opening day will be drawn to a close with a PrintWeek Power 100-themed networking event on the show floor, with Olympic legend Derek Redmond delivering an inspirational address on triumphing over adversity, the power of positivity and the importance of teamwork in a business context.

Tomorrow’s proceedings kick off at 9.15am with a conference keynote from buying expert and former Charterhouse managing director Mike Newman. He’ll use his address to issue a call to action for printers of all sizes to embrace their manufacturing expertise and reposition themselves as lead suppliers and offer a credible alternative to print management.

Full details of tomorrow’s conference and workshop programmes and can be found on the PrintWeekLive! website.

To pre-register to attend tomorrow, click here or simply register at the door.