FESPA Mexico 2015 sent strong signals of confidence in the Mexican wide format printing sector, with exhibitors reporting positive interest and buying intentions from visitors to the show, which took place from 20-22 August 2015 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City.

With over 9000 visitors this year, FESPA Mexico maintains its position as the leading event for the Mexican wide format and textile print community, attracting a loyal following from the country's most prominent printers. Visitors to FESPA Mexico were high-level decision makers, with 46% having final say on investment and 90% being involved in the decision making process. Exhibitors endorsed the quality of the FESPA audience, with many making equipment sales during the show. The audience seniority was reflected in the high level of interest in the on-site educational conference.

Michael Ryan, Group Exhibition Manager for FESPA, comments: "Mexico is outperforming the Latin American regional economy, and while growth in the national economy slowed a little in 2015, FESPA visitors show themselves to be optimistic and committed to a long-term view where capital expenditure is concerned. Feedback from exhibitors and visitors affirms that FESPA Mexico is considered a 'must-attend' event at which to buy, explore and network, and exhibitor reports of strong sales - including one exhibitor who sold two machines within the opening hour of the show - testify to the confidence and firm investment intentions of Mexican printers."

Visitors to the event, who were able to meet with 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest print machinery, techniques and product solutions across digital, screen and textile wide format print, also commented positively about this year's show.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez, División Gran Formato, Midi Corp, noted: "This is the sixth time I have visited, and each time the exhibition has something new to offer me. The whole world is here. I have met with large and well-known suppliers whose relationships I have maintained here throughout the years."

Salvador Reyes, Director General, ADN Exacto, stated: "The show this year has been really good. FESPA Mexico is a recognised exhibition and you can find almost all the important suppliers here in one place. I believe it's an important appointment to make year after year for all industry stakeholders that is why I always visit."

FESPA Mexico Competition Winners
Rafael Muñoz Morales and Juan Antonio Ramirez Ávila from Vallejo Tuning were announced as the new World Wrap Masters Series champions after an action-packed competition requiring entrants to wrap Range Rovers, suitcases and vacuum jugs. Commenting on their victory, Rafael Muñoz said: "Winning the title of the World Wrap Masters México was a dream come true. It was a pleasure and honour to compete side by side with the best installers from Mexico and all around the world."

The winner of the FESPA Mexico t-shirt competition, sponsored by Epson, was Daniel Alfredo Zapata Delgado from Luznegra MX. Fernando Cristobál Reyes Cervantes, Quid Publicaciones and Cesar Gonzalez, a freelance designer took second and third place respectively.

Exhibitor comments from around FESPA Mexico 2015 reflect Michael Ryan's observations:

"Year after year we have seen proof that FESPA has the flow of visitors that we require, and allows us to reach the market that we are focused on. Every year we conduct our sales operation here and without doubt, it is a success." Juan Carlos Vega, Director General, Soluciones para Impresores

"In general, FESPA is important for d.gen. It's an exhibition that everyone knows, and each time we exhibit at FESPA we achieve great sales results. Furthermore, here in Mexico it is the most important exhibition for the graphic arts industry and that is why we are here every year." Andrea Negretti, GM EMEA & WW Business Manager, D.Gen

"For us FESPA Mexico is essential, not only because it allows us to share all our products and solutions with the audience, but also because it is the reference point for the industry: the most important event for the graphics arena where we can connect with principle users, clients, business partners and all those who love this industry. At FESPA Mexico the attendees can experience the latest market updates, as well as the most important trends." Víctor Manuel Cabrera Andrade, SGBG & MOG Director, 3M

"FESPA is the most important exhibition in the calendar here in Mexico, and for HP it is a must. We always achieve success and this year we are having an unprecedented interest." Alberto Corral, HP Sign & Display, HP

 "I always think of FESPA Mexico not only as a great tool for sales, but also as the place where we can find everyone. Suppliers attend, clients attend, distributors attend, and what we share with one another here is very interesting. Sometimes it is complicated to see each other, meet together, and FESPA Mexico enables us to do that." Alfonso Pelaez, Director de Ventas, Casa Díaz de Máquina Coser

"This FESPA event is super important for the Mexican [printing] industry. We have realised that as a company we expect to grow around 300 to 400 percent after the exhibition. It's spectacular! Here you will find so many people interested in the latest news and especially to meet with the product manufacturer. It has certainly given us a lot within the Mexican sector." Yoann Giorsetti, Director de Ventas Internacionales, Siser

"The fact is that the results are excellent, both in terms of number of people who visited our stand, but also the audience who have visited the exhibition overall. the reality is that the results were more than encouraging. For several years we have participated at FESPA Mexico, it is really important to the business of our company." Jorge Camacho, Director Marketing Business Products, Epson

"Really for us, it is always important to participate at FESPA Mexico. It is an event where the printers from different sectors come to update themselves with the innovations of the market and share their experiences. FESPA is the best exhibition to showcase our services. It provides us the chance to meet with clients and distributors, and show first-hand the robustness of our equipment." Leopoldo Bravo, Sales Manager, Durst

"Our experience at FESPA Mexico has been very good. Lots of people attending, and many people from across Mexico, as well as having visitors to our stand from USA, Spain, and Colombia. To be honest we are really surprised by the number of people. We absolutely recommend the exhibition, for us as exhibitors, it's a way to know the market, especially the people across Mexico that we don't usually have contact with." Josep Domingot, Vice Presidente, Anajet

"Our focus at FESPA Mexico is to meet new and existing customers, discover their needs and to better understand the market. The show is also a great opportunity for us to present our portfolio of machines. FESPA Mexico 2015 has been great. The level of visitors is high, with a keen interest in new technology." Ivan Carrozzo, Americas Sales Manager, MS Printing Solutions

"In our stand there was a strong presence of decision-makers, such as owners of printing equipment and professionals from the commercial area. We were surprised by the quality. We had sales during the show, and leads that we will be working on after the fair." Chad Smith, Regional Manager, CWT Worktools

"The show has been excellent. We had a lot of good traffic and a lot of good questions based on our equipment from both people looking to start in the screen printing business, or companies that are already established looking to expand. There has been a tremendous amount of interest." Steve Baer, International Sates, Vastex

FESPA Mexico 2016 will take place 18-20 August 2016 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City. For more information visit: www.fespa.com