It seems like only yesterday that the record-breaking Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2015 took place, but here we are in October already preparing for Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2016. Five first-time exhibitors have so far confirmed their attendance at the show. P&P editor MELANIE ATTLESEY asks them why they have chosen 2016 to exhibit for the first time.
With five months to go until P&P LIVE! 2016 takes place in February more than 125 exhibitors have confirmed they will be attending the three-day show next year – this equates to more than 85% of the floor space already booked.
Regular show features such as the three times daily fashion show, seminars and the Bag Decoration Advice stand all make a return this year, with further details to be announced during the coming months. The Corel Theatre made its debut this year and following its popularity among visitors this feature will return in 2016.
New exhibitors speak out
Among the five first time exhibitors is Comfort Colors. This American company was purchased by Gildan for $100m in February and now Gildan is ready to bring this brand to the UK printwear market. Comfort Colors hails from Vermont and specialises in garments that have a trendy distressed or worn look, with a soft and a comfortable feel.
European marketing director, Jonny Thomson, said: “Comfort Colors is excited to be making its UK debut at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2016. The show is the place where the industry gathers and is the ideal opportunity to launch a new product in front of the promotional textile industry, which is always on the lookout for something new.”
Eskimo Epos is another first time exhibitor. This company provides effective e-commerce solutions for those looking to build a website or integrate an epos system into their already existing website.
Sales manager, Gary Dyett, said: “We chose P&P LIVE! as it complements both our software and our company ethos extremely well. The functionality we are able to offer to P&P LIVE! attendees is ideally and uniquely suited to the challenges faced by companies that purchase large quantities of blank garments only to screen print or embroider them into something else. From what we have heard, the event is also quite fun – again this fits in with how we are as a company.
“Exhibiting at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2016 is a perfectly timed opportunity for us to demonstrate our eagerly awaited, newly developed Embroidery Section within the Eskimo Retail software suite.
“This feature, due for release just prior to the show, will be packed full of exciting options for the effortless management of garment embroidery and badging thereby making it suitable to a very large sector of visitors to the show whether they are single or multi-store business.”
Shugon Bags & Leathergoods is exhibiting for the first time alongside its distributor BTC activewear.
UK sales and marketing manager, Dave Jeanes, explains that the company has been looking for a new show at which to exhibit to introduce the brand to a different audience and P&P LIVE! 2016 fitted the bill.
He added: “P&P LIVE! appears to offer us a new opportunity while fitting in well with what is already on offer. BTC activewear, our UK distributor, has told me of the success they had at the 2015 exhibition, so it seems only logical for us to be there.
“Our aim is to attract new customers and share with them our huge range of products and the type of finishes that can be offered, plus our ability to offer them a bespoke product that would be specially customised for them.
“This is a great opportunity for Shugon to show this industry our range of ‘high value low cost’ bags. On display we will have our sports bags, rucksacks, computer bags, travel bags, our popular affordable drawstring backpacks, and more. Visitors will also be able to see Shugon’s new range for 2016 plus a few surprises.”
Other first time exhibitors include AD Colour and Screen Tec Print Essentials (exhibiting together under the name ADTEC), suppliers of screens inks, stretching and chemicals, and Serma & DNT, a transfer supplies company. Needless to say there is plenty of divergence on offer at the show once again.
Show returner
And proving that the show is a must for all in the printwear industry is Leo Workwear, a supplier of high visibility clothing. The company last exhibited at the show in 2009 and is marking 2016 as the year of its return.
Martin Paxton, sales and marketing director, said: “It is great to be back at P&P LIVE! Leo Workwear chose to exhibit at this year’s event as it’s the perfect platform to promote our fantastic range of high visibility clothing. We sell our clothing into some of the largest corporatewear and PPE distributors in the UK as well as supplying many smaller promotional clothing and local printing specialists.
“We hope to meet with our existing client base as well as to develop some new friendships and business. We will be launching a new range of ladies hi-vis workwear for 2016 and showcasing our other new exciting products.”
