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FESPA NEWS

Groundbreaking conference

programme at FESPA Middle East

F global print and signage industries, has unveiled a ground-
ESPA Middle East, the leading event in the region for the

breaking conference programme ahead of its second edition.
Taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre from 20 to 22
January 2025, sessions will discuss the latest trends in per-
sonalisation, sustainability, new technology, and future visions.
One of the highlights of the conference programme is the FESPA
Leadership Exchange (FLEX), which will make a welcome return and
provide a platform for knowledge sharing, raising standards within the
sector, networking, increasing transparency and business growth.
Taking place on the first day of FESPA Middle East, the opening ses-
sion, Trends and Industry Insight Overview will be led by George
Simonian, Dean of Applied Arts Faculty, BADR University, Egypt, who
will share insights on the latest trends and strategies for businesses
looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Other sessions forming part of the FLEX conference include The
Exciting Future of Visual Communication, which will be delivered by
Christian Duyckaerts, Past President & Asia Ambassador, FESPA, a
deep dive into how to do business in Saudi Arabia as part of a panel of applied labels in 2010 to AI-generated art in 2024 and the positive impact
international experts, and the opportunities surrounding the burgeon- of personalisation when engaging consumers.
ing African market, led by Naved Hasan, Associate Editor, Africa From a sustainability perspective, six sessions, including individual
Business Pages. presentations and panel discussions, will cover topics such as reducing
Bazil Cassim, Regional Manager (Middle East & Africa), FESPA, costs through optimising energy and resources, avoiding greenwashing,
commented: “The FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX) embodies the and what an increased focus on decarbonisation and supply chain trans-
parency means for brand expectations.
evolution of the printing and visual communications industries, serv-
ing as a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation. The confer- In addition to the conference sessions, visitors can explore the
ence’s diverse sessions, from expert analysis of emerging trends to Sustainability Spotlight stand, which will showcase the latest products
supporting sustainable printing and business practices, including every-
insights into sustainability and AI-driven advancements, provide thing from media substrates to software.
unparalleled opportunities for businesses to navigate and thrive in a On the final day, new technology and future visions will lead the agenda
rapidly changing landscape. with the inaugural edition of Welcome to the Future: AI in Printing and
“With actionable strategies for exploring key markets like Saudi Beyond, a ‘lab’ designed by XL MEA’s Ian Swarbrick, whose visionary
Arabia and Africa, FLEX equips attendees with the tools they need to approach is driving the adoption of AI across the printing industry.
embrace new opportunities and drive impactful change. The confer- The session will take a deep dive into how AI is revolutionising every
ence has been created to act as a catalyst for the future.” aspect of business and operations within the printing world.
Day two of the conference programme will focus on the growing Other thought-provoking topics on the day include Introduction to AI:
trend for personalised printed solutions and sustainability. Several What is it, what do we think it is and why we should embrace it. Other
expert speakers will address the applications, software, and hardware sessions on the day include Pressing Ahead: The future of print in the
innovations supporting this in-demand trend, which is expected to Middle East and Seizing the Advantage: Turning the data revolution into
deliver larger profits and new revenue streams for businesses in the market leadership.
sector. As this world-class regional speciality print & signage expo returns to
One of the standout sessions will be delivered by Richard Askam, Dubai, 20-22 January 2025, the event will be the meeting place for vision-
aries to explore the latest industry innovations and learn from leading
Co-Founder of You are The Star Books, in the session, What’s in a global experts, providing you with ample opportunity to discover industry
Name? The Story of Personalisation So Far. Askam, who has led cam- possibilities, and make investment decisions to grow your business.
paigns for brands including Coca-Cola, Marmite, Toblerone, Kit Kat, For more information on the conference sessions click here or to regis-
and Nutella, amongst others, will discuss the journey from hand-
ter for free using promo code FMEM504.
www.printweekmena.com January 2025 PrintWeek MENA 15