Visitors to FESPA Digital 2012 in Barcelona will find an action-packed programme of educational activities and live features that invite printers to explore the wider opportunities, bringing to life the central message of the event campaign.

FESPA's reputation as a global conference organiser for the digital wide format community will be reinforced in Barcelona with the Explore Conference at FESPA Digital. This series of free half-day conference and workshop sessions will run within the main exhibition centre, making it easy for printers to structure their day and mix visits to exhibitors with participation in the conference sessions that appeal to them. Delivered by world experts, the conference is structured around topics such as Business Building, Technology Issues, Narrow Format Print, Sustainability, Digital Signage, Customer Insight, and Printed Electronics, and will deliver a rich mix of information and inspiration. (Note to editors: see separate release re FESPA Explore Conference).

Back in the exhibition, a series of Explore Routes will offer visitors mini-maps highlighting different technologies or consumables on display around the show, helping them to optimise their time if their interest is specific to a particular product or technology.

Visitors looking for a more hands-on technical experience will want to factor in time for Print Shop Live!, an exciting new feature within a European FESPA event. Print Shop Live! allows the visitor to experience each element of the production process first-hand in a live and interactive forum, moderated by technical consultant Sophie Matthews-Paul. Here printers can test and try their own artwork file on wide and narrow format technologies, from pre-press through to finishing, and on a range of substrates. The aim of Print Shop Live! is for visitors to build their technical know-how and seize the commercial opportunities that come from boosting productivity and extending the capabilities of their digital production equipment.

Diversification is one of the 'wider opportunities' referenced in the event campaign, and there are several areas of the show which look at new applications or formats to offer food for thought for printers considering breaking away from the tried and tested. The Narrow Format Zone invites visitors to investigate how adding smaller format digital output to their service portfolio could help them tap into new revenue streams from new and established customers, while FESPA Fabric, the 'show within a show' for garment printing and decoration will interest printers considering a move into promotional wear or other garment applications. (Note to editors: see separate release re FESPA Fabric).

Fresh opportunities also come in the form of creative and innovative print applications that optimise the capabilities of digital output and take advantage of the latest substrates and inks. A coffee break in Big Buck's Cafe at FESPA Digital 2012 will open the visitor's eyes to the full spectrum of applications now possible using digital output technology. This 'pop-up' cafe will showcase everything from signage, to promotional and point-of-sale graphics, to interior decor, to printed furniture, to soft signage, to furnishings, to fine art, to garments. The Big Buck's Cafe 'menu' will tempt the visitor to explore further, with simple explanations of the applications on display and how they were produced.

FESPA Marketing Manager Lynda Sutton comments: "Our campaign for FESPA Digital 2012 challenges printers to explore the wider opportunities, but it's not just a marketing strapline, it's the essence of the event. Of course, technology is fundamental, and visitors to the show will find several hundred exhibitors on hand to share their innovations and offer advice. But being a print entrepreneur requires a spirit of adventure, and successful PSPs tell us that there's a wealth of opportunity if you open your eyes to the products and services your customers want from you. We want to stimulate visitors to FESPA Digital to look at how to use software, printing and finishing equipment, substrates and inks to expand their horizons and develop new products and services that match customers' needs and help them to be more profitable."

More details about all the Explore themed visitor features will become available between now and the show, so printers planning to attend should pre-register at www.fespadigital.com to ensure they are kept up to date and can plan in detail to make the most of their time in Barcelona.