As the doors closed, 9,121 signmakers, printers, media specialists and end users had made their way to the NEC - an impressive 18% increase on the 2004 visitor figure.

As a result of such a successful three days, a record-breaking 50% of the space for the 2006 event has already been sold to 76 companies including B&P Lightbrigade, Hewlett Packard, Spandex, Hexis, Graphtec, Trelleborg-Unitex, HG Kippax & Son/Thieme KPX and Esko Graphics to name only a few.

'The best positions for the 2006 shows are going fast so early booking is a must,' says Exhibition Director, Catherine Iredale. 'It is clear from the feedback that our exhibitors had a very successful three days, and we would like to thank them for their hard work and continuing support of the events.'

A number of major brand names and blue chip companies visited the shows this year and were joined by sign specialists and printers from right across the UK who were all looking to see, specify and buy the latest equipment and materials on the market.

Scott Wilkins of Hexis had a phenomenal three days. 'We've had a brilliant show,' he said. 'We have seen many existing customers and potential new ones, and have taken a raft of orders. We rebooked our stand for 2006 on the first day of the show - so confident were we that this was going to be a great event. We certainly weren't disappointed.'

Rob Jackson, Vice-President of Sales Development at Spandex was equally happy with his company's success at Sign UK. 'We came here with the objective of getting a certain number of quality leads after three days. After just two we had exceeded our target by miles. We have already booked our space at next year's show.'

Visitors enjoyed the features on show, the Adobe Workshops proved extremely popular once again with people standing in the aisles to catch a glimpse throughout. The Skills for Business and Rapid Group seminars provided visitors with an additional opportunity to get to grips with the latest advances in software, changes in legislation and new hardware product developments.

A stop at the 'Signmakers Arms' was also a must for visitors who wanted to watch expert signwriters and craftsmen at work. Peter Millichamp and his team used the theme of a public house to demonstrate different techniques, materials and substrates, and it certainly went down a storm proving to be one of the most popular areas of the show.

2005 was the first time the Screenprint exhibition had run alongside Digital Expo and Sign UK. Exhibiting companies were delighted with the new three-show line-up and many have already rebooked for 2006.

Esko Graphics was also exhibiting at the show for the first time. New to the market, the company used the event to launch itself onto the scene with a number of new product initiatives.

Marketing Director Hubert Sheir said, 'We exhibited at Screenprint because this is a new market for us. We have made valuable contacts with both potential customers and organisations that we can work alongside. This has been a very good show for us.'

Fellow exhibitor Shuttleworth Business Systems was also putting a toe into the water at Screenprint. 'The show went really well for us,' said Marketing Manager Scott Marienthal. 'We have just recently developed a system for the screen, sign and digital market so this is the first time we have been at the show

'We have taken a number of cast-iron leads and we confidently expect to convert over a third of them over the next 12 - 18 months. We have also met three companies that we never imagined would be customers and would probably never have made contact with if we had not come to the show. Tremendous event!'

Sign UK, Digital Expo, Screenprint and Outdoor Media will take place from 9-11 May at the NEC, Birmingham in 2006. Visit www.signuk.com, www.digitalexpo.co.uk or www.screenprintexpo.com for more information or call 020 8651 7100.

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