Drupa is a fading memory for those who were there. For those who weren’t, think of a dance marathon akin to the movie They Shoot Horses Don’t They. Although those of us who did attend had an opportunity to see a lot of new and amazing print-related applications and technologies.

Recently, North America had three print technology events: PRINTING United, LabelExpo, and SuperCorrExpo—all in the same week! All three of them promised lots of new print solutions and equipment. After surviving drupa, I thought I would try to see if I still had the stamina to do this trifecta of events. As I started to look at the logistics involved, I realized that trying to visit Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando in one week was probably a fool’s errand. So I opted for PRINTING United in Las Vegas and LabelExpo in Chicago (actually Rosemont), which was still a lot to handle. Both events were surprisingly well-attended and there were a lot of new things to see, and while I can’t cover it all here in this article, look on WTT for some interesting interviews and videos covering both events.

Starting in 2020 and taking into account the COVID bust year, this was officially the fourth PRINTING United held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PUE (PRINTING United Expo) at its core was a sign and display event created by SGIA (Sign and Graphics Industry Association). However, as the new PRINTING United Association looked at the market shifts in print, and the interest and opportunities for print service providers, they designed an event built on the concept of convergence and application expansion which increasingly mirrors today’s reality for many print service providers. Productivity and automation was evident throughout the floor, both in the equipment as well as the allied software solutions on exhibit. Print application and technology has come a long way!