Chris Curran: Elevating the Print Industry

In this exclusive Q&A feature with Print Monthly, Chris Curran, group president, Media & Events, at PRINTING United Alliance, talks through the upcoming PRINTING United Expo 2025, which is taking place in Orlando, Florida, from October 22nd to 24th.

What are the key goals of PRINTING United Expo?

At its core, PRINTING United Expo exists to unite the entire printing and graphic communications industry under one roof — every segment, every technology, every solution. Our goal is to create a single, immersive experience where attendees can see the full spectrum of printing in action, from commercial and packaging to wide-format, apparel, industrial, and beyond. We want attendees to walk away inspired, informed, and ready to implement new ideas and technologies that can move their businesses forward.

How do these goals align with the wider goals of PRINTING United Alliance?

The Expo is a natural extension of the Alliance’s mission – to serve, support, and elevate the entire printing industry. Everything we do as an association is about advancing our members’ businesses through education, research, advocacy, and community. The Expo brings that mission to life in the most visible way. Whether it’s through workforce initiatives like Student Day, educational programs like iLEARNING+, or advocacy efforts that protect our industry, the Expo embodies the Alliance’s commitment to a stronger, more connected printing community.

How has the event developed over the years?

PRINTING United Expo has evolved into a truly global showcase of print and convergence. Since its launch, we’ve seen year-over-year growth in international exhibitors and attendees, technology launches, and cross-segment participation. Each year we add new experiences – from the Knowledge Center to the AI Pavilion, Women in Print Alliance programmes, and our award-winning Media Day. The show continues to mirror the pace of change in our industry – dynamic, innovative, and increasingly connected across market segments.

What can attendees look forward to with the 2025 edition of the show?

PRINTING United Expo 2025 in Orlando will be our most experiential and future-focused edition yet. Attendees can expect more than 830 exhibitors showcasing live demonstrations across every segment of print. We’re introducing new activations such as the PRINTING AI Pavilion, expanded Apparel Zone, All-Stars Ambassador Program, Spill the Ink roundtable discussions, and jam-packed educational sessions and experiences for all, featuring hands-on education and thought leadership. There’s also a continued emphasis on community – through Student Day, the AFTER Dark Networking, and countless opportunities for engagement.

How does the exhibition reflect recent innovations within the industry?

Every inch of the show floor tells the story of where print is headed – automation, sustainability, workflow integration, and AI are driving much of what exhibitors are showcasing this year. You’ll see the convergence of print technologies like never before – packaging meeting digital, apparel meeting commercial, and wide-format connecting to décor and display. We’re also highlighting how print is merging with digital intelligence – colour management, robotics, and data-driven production all take centre stage.

How does PRINTING United Alliance use its expertise and vast network to help improve and refine the exhibition?

One of our greatest strengths is that the Alliance doesn’t just produce the Expo – we live and work within the printing community year-round. Our team collaborates with the Alliance’s subject matter experts across research, government affairs, G7 certification, education, and membership to ensure the Expo reflects real-world trends and needs. Initiatives like Media Day – where global journalists preview exhibitor launches in a curated setting – and our Alliance Insights research team presenting the latest in AI and through its State of the Industry updates; all examples of how we leverage the entire Alliance network to continuously refine and elevate the experience.

Are there any particular manufacturers at the show that you wanted to shout out?

It’s hard to name just one – the strength of PRINTING United Expo lies in the incredible mix of global leaders and emerging innovators we bring together. From major OEMs debuting world-first technologies to niche developers pushing the boundaries of specialty print and finishing, the show represents every corner of the ecosystem. What’s especially exciting is the collaboration across segments – you’ll see packaging companies partnering with automation specialists, and apparel decorators integrating digital tools for workflow and colour management. That cross-pollination is exactly what the Expo was designed for. A huge shoutout to all our sponsors, but title sponsor Canon USA especially for their deep commitment, engagement, and bringing such powerful technology to the show floor for the world to see the latest in printing products and solutions.

Anything else you want to add?

PRINTING United Expo isn’t just a trade show – it’s a movement. It’s where the global printing community comes together to learn, grow, and shape the future of our industry. Whether you’re a printer, manufacturer, student, or journalist, you’ll find something that sparks new ideas. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Orlando this from October 22^nd to 24^th – and to continuing to build the bridge between technology, creativity, and community in print.