OUTPUT

Morwenna Kearns asks Petra Lassahn, Viscom Düsseldorf's event director, about what's coming up at this year's show.

Have you seen a change in demand for more environmentally friendly products and services at Viscom Düsseldorf?

Sustainability is a central issue today. Demand for ethical brands and products meeting ecological and social as much as economic standards has noticeably risen in the past few years. In contrast to the early 80s when this was the issue of the first 'going green' movement, we are now looking at a trend supported by the majority in the industry, the retail sector and among consumers. This trend towards more responsibility for the environment is irreversible.

For visitors looking for greener options, what will be on show?

The smell of a Viscom fair has noticeably changed over the past ten years. Solvent-free printing processes, low-emission toners and low-pollutant latex films have become standards that ensure an emphasis on 'green options' in practically all Viscom segments, since legal requirements and provisions have also been tightened. In the light advertising segment the energy balance has also clearly improved thanks to LED technology.

The printing industry, especially the offset printing sector, is currently discussing the topics of energy efficiency, recyclability and sustainable media production, for example the possibilities of saving resources and using environmentally certified materials.

Will there be any educational sessions focusing on the environment this time?

Yes, practically all lectures in the light advertising seminar programme deal with the subject of saving energy and the cost-efficient use of light advertising installations. One lecture is dedicated especially to the Dark Sky problem, looking at the light pollution initiative. All lectures are offered with English simultaneous translation and promise to be exciting.

How is Viscom Düsseldorf different to the three other Viscom events?

Viscom Düsseldorf is the trade fair with the highest international attendance and the strongest growth in Europe. With the reorientation in the Digital Signage World, the Customised Printing Forum and the POS World we have come much closer to our target. And that is to present the 360-degree perspective on current and future technologies and challenges in all fields of visual communication. The recent strong increase in the number of trade visitors – also from the retail sector and even from architecture – encourages us and shows that this is the right way to go.

What are you, personally, looking forward to most at this year's Viscom?

As every year, I am particularly looking forward to Viscom with all its exhibitors, special areas, awards and lectures, to the exhibitors and to many visitors. I am looking forward with anticipation to three eventful days in Düsseldorf. One highlight will be the 'print design!' object section designed by various manufacturers of machinery and materials. On an area of some 100sq m and with a great variety of exhibits, the participating companies give an impressive presentation of the options digital printing offers today. For example there will be a bar counter with a digital print design.