The 2017 SGIA Expo welcomed more than 19,000 to its jam-packed show floor this week.

Fairfax, Virginia - More than 19,000 people attended the 2017 SGIA Expo (New Orleans; October 10–12) this week. The show, which took over the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, featured nearly 600 exhibitors showcasing the most innovative technologies and products in the printing marketplace.

“The Expo is always exciting, and not just because it’s the largest printing show in North America,” said SGIA President and CEO, Ford Bowers. “It’s where you go to see and learn about the evolution of the print industry.”

The show floor bustled with attendees and exhibitors doing business, with attendees clearly ready to make purchases and add innovation to their organizations. New attendee Nathanial Kastelic, owner of 11th Loop, was here seeking information about eco-friendly textiles and processes.

"I'm hoping to learn how to digitally print on the most sustainable/trackable textiles in the universe," he said. "I'm learning a lot and have made some great contacts at the Expo. It has assisted me to understand there is a big deficiency in the eco/sustainable conversation."

“We’ve already sold everything we brought,” said exhibitor Daniel Kane, Royal Soverign, during the welcome reception at the end of the first day of the 2017 Expo. “Actually, it got so busy we’ve sold everything three times over.”

Sean Lanigan of Modico Corp. added the only time traffic slowed was at lunchtime. “The buyers are educated. They take a look at something, and they understand the process and what needs to be done. They’re knowledgeable about the digital printing process and they ask the right questions."

"I'd done my research by studying the Product of the Year award winners, so I knew who had received honors and who I needed to see, but there were still some surprises on the Expo floor," said Ann Crum of Phoenix Inkjet and Colour Solutions LLC. "But then again, that's not surprising, SGIA's show is always the most impressive."

In addition to the excellent technology demos, buying opportunities and product launches at the Expo this year, many new announcements were made, not the least of which was the new Print United show to be held in Dallas in 2019, a joint venture between SGIA and NAPCO Media.

“Print United sets the stage for the sectors that are moving more and more into the SGIA orbit,” Bowers said.

Total Registrants*: 19,166 as of 12:00 pm, October 11. *Preliminary figure, subject to verification

Total Number of Exhibitors: 597

2017 SGIA Expo Platinum Sponsors: Agfa Graphics, Durst Image Technology US LLC (Durst US), EFI, FUJIFILM North America Corporation Graphic Systems Division, HP and Mimaki

2017 SGIA Expo Gold Sponsors: Aberdeen Fabrics Inc, GSG, INX Digital International Co, Kornit Digital, LexJet, Marabu, MediaOne, OKI Data Americas, Pacific Coast Fabrics, Piedmont Plastics, Reese Supply Company and STAHLS’.

The 2018 SGIA Expo will take place Thursday through Saturday, October 18–20, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. And in 2019, Print United will debut in Dallas.