F – The two trade shows, CTCO and C!Print, took place at the Eurexpo in Lyon from February 6-8, 2024. The events organised by the media and event company, Infopro Digital Trade Shows (656 Éditions), address a trade audience from the promotional products, customising and printing industries.
According to official accounts, over 300 exhibitors presented their latest collections, innovations and trend items for the year 2024 at the 16th edition of the CTCO, covering as such the entire spectrum of haptic advertising. A high number of market leaders and an incredible 74 new exhibitors took part in this year’s show, which under its motto “Change the Game” focused on the two theme areas sport and ecological and digital change in the promotional products industry.
According to the organisers, Infopro Digital Trade Shows welcomed 11,455 visitors (2023: 10,670). That corresponds to a 7% growth compared to the previous year and confirmed once again the event’s status as being the leading promotional products and clothing show in France. Its European radius is also increasing continuously: 12.5% of the visitors came from abroad, guests from 61 nations overall were present.
The international alignment of the event was also reflected by the conference programme: For the first time, visitors were able to participate in a round-table discussion in English, which several international industry associations took part in. Under the title “USA, Europe: From a dialogue to cooperation”, Michele Bell (ASI – Advertising Specialty Institute), Tom Robey (BPMA – British Promotional Merchandise Association), Antony Villeger (2FPCO – Fédération Française des Professionnels de la Communication par l’Objet) and Emilio Estellés-Zanón (Aimfap – Asociación de Importadores, Mayoristas, Fabricantes de Artículos Promocionales) discussed the American and European promotional products market and their mutual relationship for almost an hour. A conference programme addressed further topical industry themes, including textiles “made in France”, the benefits of promotional products in the year 2024, changes in the reseller business and haptic advertising in the French food industry. The supporting programme was enhanced by events organised by the French industry association, 2FPCO, and the industry service provider, European Sourcing.
The supporting programme included among others, round-table discussions and the demonstration of customising techniques.
Whilst textiles and further haptic advertising products were customised live in the Print Lab Area, focusing on the trade fair motto “Change the Game” and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer, particularly environmentally-friendly innovations could be discovered on the special zone entitled “Must”. Furthermore, the so-called Speed Demos, where exhibitors presented a product of their choice to the trade fair audience, placed the emphasis on sustainability.
The approx. 250 exhibitors at the C!Print and its supporting programme comprising of workshops, competitions, conferences and fashion shows, on the other hand, totally revolved around the latest printing technologies and the variety of individualising options. According to the organisers, this year’s eleventh edition of the C!Print attracted over 15,200 visitors.
The coming edition of the two shows is scheduled to take place in Lyon from February 4-6, 2025.
www.salon-ctco.com
www.salon-cprint.com
Photos: Sarah Vieten (2), © WA Media; Infopro Digital Trade Shows (2)
