At FESPA, we strive to explore and recognise the unique opportunities and challenges faced by print and visual communications businesses in developing markets, and to support them with targeted resources, events, initiatives and educational programmes.
By coming together and working as a team, our community can help to uplift underserved communities and create opportunities for local print businesses.
FESPA Middle East
We continue to invest in initiatives that support growth, innovation and knowledge-sharing across the globe. For example, we recently established our newest global print exhibition in Dubai – FESPA Middle East. This inaugural event was launched in January 2024 to serve the growing print and signage markets in the Middle East and Africa regions and was a great success. In addition, the following edition in 2025 welcomed more than 3,400 visitors from more than 80 countries, and included educational features, such as a Sustainability Spotlight conference. The event also enabled senior decision makers from print and signage businesses to connect and network with leading suppliers and distributors. Our facilitation of such events highlights our commitment to supporting regional print industries and helping local businesses to grow.
Regional Events
FESPA Africa, FESPA Brasil and FESPA Mexico have contributed to the growth of the print market in their respective regions. FESPA Mexico is a key event for print businesses operating in the printing industry in Mexico and Latin America. It attracts thousands of professionals and showcases the latest innovations in digital and textile printing, garment decoration, screen printing, packaging, and more. Beyond the exhibition floor, FESPA Mexico features a programme of live demonstrations,
educational seminars and expert-led conferences where speakers discuss key topics such as sustainability, automation, and new business opportunities.
Similarly, FESPA Brasil delivered in partnership with the amazing team at APS Fieras, has established itself as a leading exhibition for the digital printing market in Latin America. The event covers a wide range of printing applications, including textiles, labels, signage, personalised products, and 3D printing and provides valuable knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities for industry professionals. In 2024, it achieved record-breaking attendance, with more than 24,000 unique visitors going to the event.
FESPA Africa has also contributed strongly to the print industry’s growth in sub-saharan Africa. Our partners in the event, Practical Publishing, are invaluable partners in not only the FESPA Africa event, but also the FESPA Foundation.
The FESPA Foundation
In early 2025, we launched The FESPA Foundation, our new sister organisation dedicated to providing printed educational resources and other support to underserved communities around the world, and encouraging sustainable practices throughout the speciality print sector. Operating under the strapline ‘Print For Good’, the FESPA
Foundation’s efforts include providing knowledge, educational resources and materials to schools in underserved communities to facilitate better learning environments and inspire young people into print.
A key initiative of the FESPA Foundation is to divert printed exhibition samples from FESPA’s global events, that would ordinarily be wasted, to meaningful community support projects, such as schools. This aligns with FESPA’s ISO 20121:2012 certification for Sustainable Event Management, which includes monitoring and limiting waste produced at our global exhibitions.
The FESPA Foundation facilitates the collection, transportation, distribution and installation of printed materials in the beneficiary communities, via international and local partners. It also collects in-kind and monetary donations that further support these communities, for distribution via credible local charities and community outreach programmes.
The FESPA Foundation’s first successful project was at the Evane Intermediate School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Members of the Foundation and local partners in South Africa revitalised the school by repainting and decorating, upgrading facilities and implementing printed educational posters and materials. This project transformed the learning environment for the school’s 90 students, giving them a more functional and inspiring space to learn and thrive in.
The FESPA Foundation truly demonstrates how the power of print can change lives and facilitate learning around the world. Ultimately, FESPA is a proven force for good. By demonstrating that we’re supporting underserved communities, we hope to inspire our community to provide benefits and educational resources to young people in need – be it through Association activity or other meaningful projects.