The SGIA Expo is a showcase for all the objects, materials, and surfaces that can be printed.

“We’re on the cusp of a new beginning for SGIA and the industry in general,” said Ford Bowers, President and CEO of SGIA, in a press breakfast event yesterday kicking off what will the last SGIA Expo—or at least in name (and venue) only. Next year will see the inaugural Printing United in Dallas, a change in focus that reflects the increasing convergence of different segments—or silos—of the printing industry. Referencing a recent SGIA survey, Bowers said, “95% of printers were considering going, or had already gone, into new vertical markets. Everybody’s playing in everybody’s sandbox.” Commercial printers are looking at specialty printing—and specialty printers are looking to get into certain aspects of commercial printing. And then there are industrial printing, textile printing, and even printed electronics. “A garment guy might think the future is wearable tech and might want to get into printed electronics,” said Bowers. Rather than acquire the capabilities for producing printed electronics, though, he added, “they might acquire those kinds of companies.” He suspects we may be seeing a flurry of M&A activity in the near future as industry convergence continues.

Speaking of convergence, 20,000 attendees were expected to converge in the Las Vegas Convention Center this week, and if opening day was any indication, they are on track to hit those numbers.