The second FuturePrint Virtual Summit will be taking place from October 12th to October 16th. Epson is a FuturePrint Virtual Summit Content Partner, and we caught up with Phil McMullin, Sales Manager Pro Graphics at Epson UK, to discuss what Epson will be bringing to the table at the Summit, and what might be next for print events.

Epson will be using the FuturePrint Virtual Summit to talk about some exciting product launches taking place this Autumn. With most events cancelled or postponed beyond 2020, McMullin tells us that ‘Epson still needs a platform to get the message out to prospective customers across the UK and futher afield.’

McMullin adds:  “We believe the Virtual Summit audience will be very excited about the new developments that Epson has to offer, specifically our products in the signage arena and utilising inksets that Epson has not brought to market before for these signage applications. We see the Virtual Summit as an opportunity to share some developments and thoughts with the target market, who we believe will be interested in these products.”

It’s not just the absence of the key trade shows that are causing Epson to get creative with customer interaction. McMullin says: “Our ability to carry out one-to-one demos has been massively hit during the lockdown period. Whereas our Hemel Hempstead showroom would normally be busy with visitors from different companies coming in each day, we haven't been able to do any of that for four months.”

Is a hybrid approach to events the future for print shows? “Definitely,” says McMullin, adding: “the big shows are incredibly expensive, so there’s a question mark next to them. I personally prefer the smaller, more local shows so we can target the audience more accurately. I like to see people and talk to them face to face, but I do think that virtual shows will have a place in in the future. So, in my personal view that strategy will be worked out in the months to come as to what we do as a business, but I think we’ll see a mix between the virtual shows and the traditional shows.”

Whatever the future holds, for now the FuturePrint Virtual Summit is the perfect opportunity to learn from an incredible line-up of industry speakers, virtually network with colleagues, and keep your finger on the pulse.

You can find out more on the FuturePrint Virtual Summit here.

You can find out more about Epson here.