RIYADH: The Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo, the Middle East’s leading event for the digital, print, graphic and imaging sectors, opened on Tuesday at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, spotlighting innovation and new solutions in the signage and labeling sectors.
Held in conjunction with the inaugural Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, it will run until May 22 and is expected to attract thousands of visitors from the retail, real estate, tourism, entertainment and hospitality sectors, fuelling demand for signage, labelling, paper and packaging solutions.
“The events arrive at a time of continued industry growth driven by infrastructure investments, a growing retail sector and a demand for modern, sustainable product solutions in the Kingdom. We look forward to cooperation with local partners,” Ashraf Bastawesy, executive manager at CMYK digital print solutions, told Arab News.
“Specializing in digital printing and signage, we have displayed our big machines here demonstrating our technology and innovation in the sector. From our experiences last year, and operations in Saudi Arabia, I am very much optimistic about this expo. Saudi market is growing now and we have many opportunities in digital printing and signage and labelling,” he added.
Commenting on diversity in product sectors, he said the expo this year is bigger and better, and that his company is happy to be here.
Bringing more than 150 top-tier brands from more than 15 countries, including Belgium, China, France, Turkiye, Italy and India, the exhibition presents over 2,500 products.
Visitors over the three days canill explore a diverse range of products and solutions in signage, printing, labelling, packaging automation, paper recycling and waste equipment as well as paper machinery and equipment to address evolving market demands.
Among the major features at this year’s expo are the live car wrapping and real-time printing demonstrations, offering attendees a chance to see industry skills and product capabilities first hand.
Some of the key brands presenting live demos of their solutions, latest machinery, materials and wrapping techniques include CMYK, Digital Star Machinery and Equipments, Euro Media, WellCare Trading, City Sign Trading Services and Al Rish Al Khaleeji.
Visitors will be able to watch live product demonstrations from exhibitors including Gulf Sparrows, a leading distributor of signage, advertising and LED solutions; Desert Sign Arabia, a leading distributor of a wide range of advertising, sign and graphics supplies, equipment and machinery; and Alnab Almoudei Trading, a leading supplier for advertising materials, display stands.
These demos offer a close-up view of new technologies in action, including printing hardware, digital signage, packaging and labelling systems.
Elsewhere on the exhibition floor, Label It, developed in collaboration with Lawazen Trading Group, will challenge participants to test their speed and accuracy in a high-pressure labelling showdown.
This interactive challenge invites visitors to race against time to match product labels to their correct containers. Winners stand a chance to earn gift vouchers worth SR500 ($133) and the title of labelling champion.
“We are proud to return with the second edition of Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo. This year promises three engaging days where we look forward to welcoming buyers who are ready to explore new ideas, opportunities and partnerships,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president at DMG Events.
Abdul Wahab Al Marzouq, general manager of Kuwait-based K4 General Trading & Contracting Co. told Arab News: “We were here at the inaugural signage expo last year, this year we have doubled the size for commitment towards the signage and labelling, we are optimistic about the growing market in view of the transformation under Saudi Vision 2030. We are expanding our business in Saudi Arabia and this is a good opportunity to work with local companies.
“Our expectation is that we will be more engaged with Saudi companies to do mega projects here. We are here to show our capacity and capability on the projects that we have done in the region,” he added.
As a response to the Kingdom’s evolving demand for signage and packaging industries, the events come at a time when the country’s signage market is projected to reach $492 million by 2027, driven by increased adoption in the retail, hospitality, transport, healthcare and corporate sectors. At the same time, the paper and paperboard packaging market is estimated to hit $2.84 billion by 2029.
