The first meeting of the FESPA Americas Steering Group took place during FESPA 2010 in Munich. The Group was brought together to represent all of FESPA's stakeholder groups.

Chaired by FESPA board member Christian Duyckaerts (photo: far left), the Group comprised:  Frank Tueckmantel (EFI); Charlie Taublieb (Taublieb Consulting); Scott Fresener (T-Biz International); Tim Greene (InfoTrends);  Rich Gottwald (ISA); Michael O'Ryan (Sampco); Nicholas Hellmuth (FLAAR); and JR Kraft (Build a Sign).  FESPA was represented by board members Lascelle Barrow, Yasar Guvenen, managing director Frazer Chesterman, and sales and marketing director Marcus Timson. 

FESPA managing director Frazer Chesterman explains: "We created this steering group as a forum in which FESPA could listen to real feedback and ideas on how we can shape a FESPA Americas event that precisely meets the current needs of stakeholders across North, South and Central America and the Caribbean." 

"What we heard is that there is a real appetite for FESPA's brand of event in the Americas, offering a blend of well planned and presented exhibition features, plus high quality educational and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The participants reinforced our own belief in the benefits to be gained by printers from an exchange of experience and best practice between Europe and the Americas.  We came away with a very clear understanding of what FESPA Americas should be delivering for all types of visitors, and will be working hard in the coming months to develop the show to meet these needs."

JR Kraft of BuildASign.com comments: "FESPA provides the Americas' sign and graphic community with a new and fresh event. This has clearly challenged the show market in the U.S., but in my opinion, this is a good thing. I personally feel tired with the current choices I have, and I believe that a new event designed to do different things, for different people, is absolutely what we need. That's what we call innovation, and as an innovative business person I think this should be encouraged. I will most certainly be at FESPA Americas in February, in Orlando."

The next FESPA Americas steering group meeting will take place in Orlando in October 2010, where Frazer Chesterman & Marcus Timson will deliver a seminar entitled 60 Minutes to Innovate! at the IFAI Expo.

The first FESPA Americas event is confirmed to take place alongside the renowned Graphics of the Americas (GOA) Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center, and occupies about 72,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space there.  GOA, produced annually by the Printing Association of Florida and celebrating its 36th year, is one of the printing industry's largest, annual combined exposition and education events in the U.S.