F – This year’s CTCO, that was held at the Eurexpo Lyon from February 4-6 2025, was already the 17th edition of the trade show for haptic advertising and promotional textiles. The CTCO that is organised by Infopro Digital and which was, as always, staged parallel to the C!Print in the adjacent halls, was once again able to confirm its standing as one of the leading European events on the promotional products market.
Several round table discussions on the current market developments. In the photo (f.t.l.): Bertrand Genevi (C!Mag), Tom Verhaert (Kick And Rush Group), Caroline Crestia Fardel (Joythai) and Simon Wahnich (Walomo).
According to the organisers, 315 promotional products suppliers exhibited at the CTCO, over 70 of them for the first time. More than 50% of the exhibitors came from outside France, which underlined the significance of the CTCO as an international platform. “The CTCO is one of the most important shows in Europe for us,” stated Ignacio Mitjans, Makito. “The trade show continues to grow and increase its internationality – I would say that in the meantime around 20% of the visitors come from outside France.“ “A good show to gain a foothold on the French market,” Wilrik van Geest from Promo Sneakers reported too and Volker Griesel from Fare, added: “As usual, we are exhibiting together with further German suppliers via our partner Cybernecard. It is really impressive how busy it is. Whereby it is important to have French-speaking staff on the stands.”
Many of the leading international companies and brands presented their products at large, impressive stands. Overall, the trade show offered a harmonious, high-quality appearance that was livened up by several special zones and community areas. For example, the “Les Must” area presented selected trends and innovations, whereas customising techniques were demonstrated in the Print Lab with its new “Workwear Corner”. As usual, the French group of suppliers, Les Specialistes, were also present with their own “street”.
The bar and adjacent lecture forum was a central point of contact in the heart of the show. Infopro held in total ten round table conferences on current market themes here over the course of the three days – partly also with international participation: For example, Josh Ellis from the PPAI (Promotional Products Association International), and Michelle Bell from the ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) discussed the international market developments with Heather Smartt (Goldstar) and the Infopro Fair Director, Pierre Mirlit.
The C!Print staged in the adjacent halls informed the visitors about the latest innovations in the printing, customising and visual communications segments.
The visitors were able to reach the C!Print that was held simultaneously in the adjacent halls via a corridor. At C!Print around 250 exhibitors with hundreds of big, loud and impressive machines presented an exhibition demonstrating the status quo of the market for printing, embellishing and advertising technologies, including several workshops and lectures. Synergy effects that have been working perfectly since the launch of the two shows.
The official attendance figure was not available at the time of going to press, however one can assume that both shows reached a similarly positive result as in 2024, when 11,455 people attended the CTCO and 15,200 visitors were registered at the C!Print. The shows were buoyant and a positive atmosphere particularly prevailed on the first two show days. Whereby the visitors certainly didn’t just come from France – numerous promotional products distributors from Southern Europe, the Benelux countries or other parts of Europe took advantage of this opportunity to network and scout for products. “I am primarily here to gain inspiration and I have certainly achieved that aim,” reported Michel Van Bavel, Chief Growth Officer at the Kick And Rush Group.
Finally, the CTCO also offered a platform for an exchange at association level: As the show’s partner, the French association, the 2fpco (Fédération Française des Professionnels de la Communication par l’objet) not only informed interested parties about its numerous initiatives, but also welcomed several representatives of other European associations to its stand in the centre of the hall. “We want to turn the CTCO into a centre of encounters for our industry,” the 2fpco Chairman, Antony Villéger, explained.
It became clear once again that the CTCO has precisely what it takes to do so. In 2026, both shows are being staged from February 3-5, at the Eurexpo.
// Till Barth
Photos: Till Barth, © WA Media
