PRINTING United Alliance expects a record turnout for its banner PRINTING United Expo in 2025. Returning to the Orlando Convention Center from October 22-24, the event is already seeing 20% year-over-year growth on its attendance figures from 2024.

PRINTING United Expo, a comprehensive event that features all of print under one roof, will foster new product debuts, educational sessions, and engagement across all market segments. In addition, the Women in Print Alliance, part of PRINTING United, is slated for the largest presence ever at this year’ show.

Sponsors for the event include Durst, Canon USA, Fujifilm, Screen and more.

PRINTING United Alliance has utilized feedback from attendees to help curate an agenda that meets the requirements of the printing industry.

“Everything we do is designed to evolve this organization, and we do it with insight from our members,” says Chris Curran, Group president, Media and Events, PRINTING United Alliance. “Our members are the lifeblood of our organizations, and they come from all walks of the printing industry. And we get feedback from everybody.”

“We are full steam ahead for the Expo,” adds Amanda Kliegl, vice president of public relations, PRINTING United Alliance. “The excitement really is palpable.”

The Alliance selected Orlando because it is one of the five convention centers in the United States large enough to house the event. PRINTING United Expo will welcome more than 800 exhibitors and utilize two of the Convention Center’s five halls. The Orlando Convention Center is also the second largest facility of its kind in the United States.

PRINTING United Alliance is anticipating between 28,000-30,000 attendees in Orlando. The Alliance also boasts a $73 million economic impact in the Orlando region. The show marks the first time back in Orlando since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Show features

PRINTING United Alliance has designed new programs to support the industry and the alliance. For example, this year’s event will feature the PRINTING AI Pavilion. This dedicated space will serve as a pillar for attendees looking to explore how AI is impacting the print and packaging industry.

“The concept is to provide support across the adoption and execution of AI,” states Mark Subers, chief innovation officer, PRINTING United Alliance. “Attendees can interact with curated educational content and explore the AI Wall, a visual guide to all AI-focused technologies being displayed across the Expo.

“We want to serve as a central hub for AI information,” continues Subers. “This feature is intended to serve as a guide. We’re using our taxonomy to qualify exhibitors in their particular areas of AI solutions, from products and marketing to technical support. We also have a Pavilion Theater that will focus on AI adoption.”

Additionally, PRINTING United Expo will feature a “Spill the Ink” area of its show floor. This space provides an unfiltered spot of the event designed to lead to solutions and innovation. “I’m super excited to see how this pans out, because it should be quite impactful,” adds Subers.

Educational programming

Education will serve as another pillar of the event. The Alliance has crafted more than 75 sessions across two full days of programming. Key themes include: Business & Leadership; Technology & Innovation; Sales & Marketing; and Sustainability & Future Trends.

“We’re hoping to prepare the industry for tomorrow,” remarks Denise Gustavson, editorial director, PRINTING United Alliance. “We’re offering a comprehensive schedule that covers everything from business strategy and workflow to AI and sustainability. We want actionable takeaways that attendees can implement right away.”

The G7+ Exchange and iLEARNING+ will factor prominently into the show, as well. The G7 user group is being relaunched for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, the Alliance booth will encourage asking questions and identifying training opportunities to promote the growth of print. Live demos and an expert Q&A will also take place.

Leadership has emphasized the workforce challenge. The Alliance wants students to have access to iLEARNING+ library and certifications. For example, students will gain access to for two years post-graduation to the portal to help them find their niche in the industry.

“It’s something we’re very proud of and we’ve had a phenomenal response,” notes Josh Carruth, senior vice president, PRINTING United Alliance. “We’ve had over 1,000 student members this year.”

Future

Following the 2025 edition in Orlando, PRINTING United Expo will head to Las Vegas, NV, in 2026 and 2027.

“We are an industry based on optimism,” says Curran. “Everyone is committed to the industry.”

“We want to make our members’ experience at our flagship event as smooth as possible,” adds Carruth. “We want it to be an enjoyable experience from start to finish.”