FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2004

Interview with PRO SIGN manager Diana Schmeisser: PRO SIGN looking to take a positive lead again in 2004"

"Small is beautiful" is a good way of describing the concept behind the next PRO SIGN, to be held from 21 to 23 October this year in Frankfurt. The organiser, Reed Exhibitions Deutschland, is once again expecting 200 exhibitors and around 7,500 trade visitors at the 7th International Trade Fair for Signmaking and Digital Printing.

With seven months to go before the event, we spoke to the PRO SIGN project director, Diana Schmeisser, about the positioning and profile of PRO SIGN 2004.

Question: The PRO SIGN is being held for the first time in Hall 8 of the Frankfurt Exhibition Centre this year. What advantages can the exhibitors and visitors expect from this move?

Diana Schmeisser: The move to Hall 8 will see the PRO SIGN develop into a highly compact trade fair, with everything on display in a single building. In contrast to the previous hall structure in Hall 1, there will no longer be a "two-tier" arrangement on two different levels. The ceiling in Hall 8 is also considerably higher than in the twin-floor Hall 1, meaning considerably more flexibility and design possibilities. Car parking in front of Hall 8 is also significantly better, offering both exhibitors and visitors a parking space right next to the PRO SIGN ­ directly in front of the hall.

Question: In 2004 the PRO SIGN is sandwiched between the events in Düsseldorf and Munich. How is the PRO SIGN positioned and what can it offer its customers in terms of additional benefit?

Diana Schmeisser: Thanks to its well-targeted high-quality concept, the PRO SIGN has become a fixed event in the international trade fair calendar. We have deliberately avoided diluting the fundamental core of the fair by including additional segments. This is the only way of guaranteeing our customers specialised and well-focused market access with minimum time-wasting. The growth seen in the last few years is proof that we have chosen the correct path in adopting this special-interest strategy. Attracting 200 exhibitors from over 20 countries and up to 7,500 trade visitors, the PRO SIGN now counts as one of the leading purchasing trade fairs in the field of visual communication throughout Europe. Our aim in the future remains to continue raising the international profile of the event and increasing the level of specialist expertise offered by the PRO SIGN.

Question: Light at the end of the tunnel, whistling in the dark or wishful thinking? How do you assess the current situation in the industry?

Diana Schmeisser: No doubt a bit of all three, depending increasingly on which individual segment you are looking at. You can no longer talk about uniform development of the sector as a whole. The clear growth of over six percent for outdoor advertising has had a positive effect on the digital printing providers. The situation for neon advertising and advertising technology, on the other hand, is not quite so rosy. Overall, though, there seems to be more good news than bad coming through in the conversations we hold with our customers.

Question: Which new conceptual developments can we look forward to at PRO SIGN 2004?

Diana Schmeisser: The PRO SIGN is looking to take a positive lead again in 2004. Here we aim to respond to the increased demand for knowledge and information transfer with a considerably increased range of workshops and seminars. The main emphasis will be on media production, outdoor and illuminated advertising.

Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH
Völklinger Straße 4
Düsseldorf, Germany 40219
Phone: +49 211 90 19 11 91
Fax: +49 211 90 19 11 38
E-Mail: egeef@reedexpo.de
Website URL: www.prosign-messe.com