A 777 m2 stand booking from German press maker KBA is among the latest for Ipex 2010, where organisers say all major industry players, covering the complete print production process, are currently represented on the floorplan. To help its exhibitors during challenging global trading conditions, organisers have put in place a collection of ‘recession buster’ initiatives to help keep operational costs down and find cost-effective accommodation during the show. These range from reductions on the cost of stand building, rigging, production waste handling and storage to budget accommodation options and subsistence packages, and offer attractive cost-saving measures for exhibitors in the run up to and during the event. The Birmingham Convention Bureau has lined up information and deals on accommodation – including subsidised food and drink menus – and there are early-bird show offers including ten per cent off food and hospitality stand catering, discounts off early access, rigging and the cost of second-storey stand space. A budget Tri-Lite space-only package is also being offered as a cost-effective premier alternative to the standard shell scheme. A new ‘performance index’ initiative will help exhibitors to achieve a strong ROI by identifying and prioritising show objectives and evaluate how well these have been achieved. The Ipex 2010 organisers have also confirmed that it will reignite the successful ‘Springboard’ feature, launched in 2006, for small first-time exhibitors who have previously found the cost of exhibiting to be prohibitive. Event director Trevor Crawford says with increased pressure to deliver a strong ROI, explore new markets, make news sales and cement existing relationships, suppliers of all sizes around the world can know that Ipex is the sales and marketing opportunity they can trust to deliver.” “We’re in constant dialogue with our exhibitors and understand that business is tough right now so we’re trying to provide as much support as possible. To date, we’ve successfully held exhibitor roadshows in the Netherlands, Germany and China with further plans to hold future events in France, Japan, Italy, the UK, the US and India. “These events are designed to update our exhibitors on our international reach and gain their support for our co-marketing strategy which has been extremely well received.” “Ipex 2006 welcomed over 100,000 visitors over the course of the eight days, 40 per cent of which came from overseas covering over 159 countries. I’m confident that with everything on offer at Ipex, we will build on this success.”