FESPA Asia 2017 is set to be the ASEAN region's largest and most comprehensive event for digital wide format, screen and textile printing in 2017.

The exhibition, which takes place at the BITEC exhibition centre, Bangkok, Thailand from 15 to 17 February 2017, will feature more than 100 exhibiting companies, with many leading international brands already confirmed to participate, including dgen, EFI Reggiani, HP, KIP, Kornit Digital, Mimaki, Roland and Zünd. To date 75% of the currently contracted space is taken by international technology and consumables brands.

FESPA's activity in Asia is actively championed by nine National Associations, in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Philippines and Australia, who support a combined membership of more than 2,000 print service providers. The Associations made a strong case for FESPA to deliver a pan-Asian event, to meet escalating demand from the region's community of printers and signmakers who have been asking for a focused, major event of international calibre. Mustafa Kapadia, President of Indian Association, SPAI, comments: "By reinvesting in the print community and building demand for print, FESPA Asia is showing exemplary commitment to our local print industry. We believe that the exhibition will create and offer new initiatives for print suppliers and buyers across Asia."

Veerasamy Kumaran, President of the Sri Lankan Association (SLAP) adds: "FESPA Asia 2017 will serve as the platform for Asian printers to be empowered with the technological know-how and skills to elevate their businesses and enhance the processes enabling them to reach the global print community."

Bill Porteous of Australian Association SGIAA notes: "Consider the possibilities of knowing what is going on in your immediate market sector, of looking at products and services that have not reached your country yet, of networking with like-minded peers in a not so distant market. And, consider the possibilities of the likely expansion of your market. This is what FESPA Asia will offer in Bangkok."

FESPA Asia is also working closely with FESPA's local association, TSGA, and has the committed support of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to optimise the experience for exhibitors and visitors, as well as Bangkok-based AES Ltd (Asian Exhibition Services).

FESPA Divisional Director Roz McGuinness comments: "We're delighted to have such strong engagement from so many major international companies for FESPA Asia 2017 and such resounding endorsement from the regional associations. What is clear is that, while printers across Asia have access to small, local events, they are looking to FESPA to deliver a stand-out regional event where they can meet the leading international vendors under one roof, network with prominent PSPs from across the region and access high quality educational content that brings together the deepest sector expertise from around the world."

FESPA Asia 2017 will include a free seminar programme featuring notable speakers from Asia and beyond. Seminar sessions are free to attend.

The choice of Bangkok as the host city reflects the city's prominence and accessibility in the region, making FESPA Asia 2017 a logical destination event for printers across the ASEAN region (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam). FESPA Asia 2017 is also expected to attract leading printers from the Indian subcontinent, Australasia and the Middle East.

Bangkok itself has a population of 14 million in its Metropolitan Area, while the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) represents a combined population of almost 700 million. In 2014, the AEC was collectively the third largest economy in Asia and the seventh largest in the world. Bangkok's status as the region's major hub means that air, road and rail links to the city are excellent, and visitors are well catered for with a vast selection of accommodation to suit all budgets.

For more information on FESPA Asia 2017 visit: www.fespa-asia.com. Visitors can get free entry to the exhibition by registering to attend via the FESPA Asia 2017 website, quoting reference code: ASAM602.