The upcoming Online Print Symposium (March 26 and 27 in Munich-Unterschleissheim), which the bvdm, Fogra, zipcon consulting are now staging for the third time, is definitely embarking on a more international course. Participants and speakers come from a wider range of countries than on the previous two occasions and not just from Europe. The topics to be discussed also indicate a greater degree of internationalization. The multinational shop sites and portals operated by increasingly more market players is one trend that we will be addressing during the program of events, which includes presentations and discussion forums. And last but not least the Symposium will be conducted in more than one language – a simultaneous interpreting service will be provided.

This time round I am particularly delighted to be able to welcome participants and speakers from countries like Italy, Ireland, UK, France as well as from overseas, e.g. the USA and Israel, to dolce Munich-Unterschleissheim. When it debuted two years ago the Online Print Symposiumwas already an international affair, albeit strictly German-language as it targeted the online print industries in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. But even then we had participants from neighboring countries.

The opening keynote will be given by Robert Keane, founder and CEO of Cimpress N.V., who incidentally is set to appear for the first time at an event in Europe. The ongoing transformation of the online print pioneer and world market leader, as also expressed in the renaming of the company from Vistaprint N.V. to Cimpress N.V., is being followed with interest by the industry, as I am aware from all the feedback I have received. And there is a definite sense of anticipation as regards his keynote on the topic of “Specializations and Partnerships in the Web-to-Print Market”.

The global reach of the World Wide Web makes the online print business a really attractive option for companies of all sizes in the print and media industry.
– Bernd Zipper

From a global perspective, general print growth markets are located outside the traditional industrialized nations, whilst the online print business is a growth market in all regions of the world. Olu’yomi Ojo from Nigeria is attending the Symposium as a speaker. He is the founder of the online print provider, Printivo, (about which I reported exactly twelve months ago), which became one of the leading providers in Africa within a short space of time. His topic is “The Challenges and Opportunities of Online Print in an Awakening Market“. Incidentally African market players can, in my opinion, gain an advantage in terms of mobile internet usage experience over European countries – a trend which the online print industry in these parts cannot afford to miss out on.

National borders soon lose their significance especially in the online print segment. The harmonization of European markets is offering providers new sales opportunities outside their home countries – you only have to venture a look at the bigger picture.
– Dr. Eduard Neufeld, MD of Fogra

Internationalization is an issue that is also on the minds of market players in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Those taking part in the discussion forum on this topic include Steffen Tomasi, who as a lateral entrant into the print industry founded the Swiss online print provider, Flyerline, which is now one of the leading companies in the online print business in the Alps Region. Tomasi is also appearing as a speaker and will examine the process of continuous change in the industry in his “Online Print 2.0 – Evolution follows Revolution” presentation.

Finally we as the organizers believe it is important that all those attending the Online Print Symposium can understand each other. That also applies to language barriers – and that’s why the program is being conducted in two languages and a proven team will be on hand to provide a simultaneous interpreting service (German/English, English/German).

Incidentally there are still places available.