The SmartHub, 6-9 May in Berlin, includes a series of expert conferences and a Smart Factory Trail. The programme includes the latest technologies and software that companies can use to reduce waste, increase operational efficiency and take advantage of digital production methods. The Smart Factory Trail, a guided tour of the exhibition via the FESPA app and QR codes, leads to selected exhibitors.
SmartHub conference programme
The SmartHub conference will take place in English during the first three days of the trade fair and will be moderated by Frank Tueckmantel at stand A55 in hall 5.2. The following expert presentations will be offered:
Mass Customisation in the Age of AI: From bespoke products to algorithmic design:
Frank Piller from RWTH Aachen University will shed light on the development of individualised mass production and the disruptive power of AI and explain how companies can individualise products and services with AI-driven technologies and generative AI.
RSPCA: Data-driven marketing for greater impact:
Charlie Stewart (Ebi), Tom Ridges (Herdify) and Ben Briggs (Join the Dots) explain how charities are maximising their impact using data-driven strategies and explore how behavioural analytics can be used to improve audience strategy and marketing effectiveness.
The Power of Personalisation: Transforming corrugated packaging with right-sized, on-demand digital printing:
The presentation by Kerry Sanders (EFI) will focus on how print service providers and converters can use digital printing to adapt to new customer requirements.
Panel discussions
In addition to the presentations, there will be several panel discussions, including a series of sessions on smart manufacturing led by FESPA Textile Ambassador Debbie McKeegan.
The Rise of B2B in Print On-Demand: Mastering personalisation to drive growth:
Rusty Pepper (Taylor OnDemand), Hans Scheffer (HelloPrint) and James Old (Prodigi Group) discuss aspects of B2B on-demand printing as well as differences between the European and US markets, the specific challenges of customisation for businesses and best practices for scaling personalised B2B solutions.
How automation is impacting the future of textile production:
David Sweetnam and Johnny Shell (Keypoint Intelligence) explore how automation can transform garment decoration processes, delivering greater efficiency, faster turnaround times and higher end product quality.
Duncan MacOwan, Head of Marketing and Events at FESPA, explains: ‘The FESPA fringe programme offers a wealth of opportunities to learn from visionaries, which is why we are now also hosting the SmartHub. Given the success of the Personalisation Conference over the past two years, we have expanded this year’s conference programme. The conferences will now take place over three days of the fair and are free of charge. This makes the programme accessible to a wider audience and we are sure that every visitor will gain valuable insights for expanding their own personalisation offering from the presentations on current trends in personalisation and intelligent manufacturing and from the practical examples.’
FESPA
FESPA is a trade association founded in 1962 and organises exhibitions and conferences for the screen and digital printing industries. FESPA’s twin aims are to promote screen printing and digital imaging and to share knowledge about screen and digital printing among its members around the world to support the expansion of their businesses and keep them informed of the latest developments in their fast-growing industries.
