PRINTING United cancels in-person event

Citing continued COVID-19 concerns, the PRINTING United board of directors has canceled the in-person expo scheduled for Oct. 6-8, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. According to a press release, the board of directors “felt the ability to deliver a successful tradeshow event for all involved became significantly hampered recently with the growing uncertainty and spike in cases resulting from the COVID-19 Delta variant, and its depressing effect on registration and exhibitor participation.”

Unlike 2020, there will not be a virtual experience in its place, according to a post on the PRINTING United FAQ page. The organization is pushing forward with PRINTING United Expo 2022, taking place Oct. 19-21, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

“We want to sincerely thank our vast industry partners — including exhibitors, members and attendees — for their collective support during this ever-changing landscape and time,” says Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance. “We conferred with dozens of exhibitors from all segments and sizes, regularly monitored attendee sentiment, and the weight of opinion supported the difficult decision to cancel this year’s show.”

“One of our contributions to the industry is providing a best-in-class tradeshow,” says Mark J. Subers, president, PRINTING United. “In an instance such as this, we set aside our own financial considerations when we cannot be sure that the ROI for the exhibitors and the attendee experience is exceptional. In 2022, we will continue to execute nothing short of an exemplary event experience for all involved.”

This is the second major print-industry event recently canceled in the late stages of planning due to renewed COVID-19 concerns after Dscoop Edge San Diego was also canceled.