A major event for digital technology in commercial and large format printing sectors will open in Abu Dhabi tomorrow (November 14).

Ipex Digital Middle East, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), will also discuss online marketing and social media issues relevant to the Middle East region.

“IPEX will bring together businesses involved in print production, creative and design, print finishing, pre-press, photography, publishing and many other sectors of the industry – both global and regional,” said Binu Pillai, exhibition director of Ipex Digital Middle East.

HP, a gold sponsor of Ipex, will be showcasing their 'versatile' printing solutions for graphics, as well as books and publications. HP Scitex LX850 3.2m and HP Scitex FB500 1.63m printers will form part of the wide-format technology line-up, along with HP Designjet Z6200 and Designjet L25500 printers – the latter a 1.52m machine suitable for indoor and outdoor graphics such as car wraps and soft signs.

Running alongside Ipex is Signage, Imaging and Media (SIM), sponsored by Advanced Interactive Media Solutions, which will focus on the exponential growth of social media and other online marketing communications throughout the region.

“At SIM we have the Digital Out of Home (dOOh) media forum, which takes place on November 15, will discuss the current trends and drivers in the industry and provide insight into the successful development of digital signage in the Middle East, an industry which is estimated to be worth in excess of $6.5 billion in the first six months of 2011,” said Pillai.

A key issue to be discussed at the forum this year is the fundamental changes taking place in consumer behaviour online, which consistently challenge the region’s marketers.

“The changes in consumer behaviour being driven by digital innovations such as social media are fundamental and important. There are a number of forums in the region that examine the movement towards digital information consumption, sharing and activation and the Social Media Forum is an important platform for communicators and marketers in the UAE to examine quite how they can make the most of the challenges and opportunities these changes in our behaviour represent.” said Alexander McNabb, director, Spot On Public Relations who will chair the Social Media Forum.

“There are some really strong speakers at the Forum, some smashing case studies and a great deal of expertise available on the stage. The Social Media Forum should be a powerful tool for information sharing and debate” added McNabb. – TradeArabia News Service