You are back in action after the Covid-19 pandemic forced Pamex 2023 by a year. What is the show looking like?
Pamex was postponed by a year. But even before we got close to the scheduled dates, the successful PrintPack, Pack Plus and Labelexpo had portended a bigger edition of the event. We already know that despite no direct participation from the Chinese exhibitors, the show will be at least 25% larger in terms of space sold, over the last edition. We hope to see a similar growth in the visitor footfalls.

Exhibitors, visitor registration, space bookings... What's the update?
Since Pamex moved to Mumbai in 2015, we have seen a growth in both exhibition area and visitor turnout in every edition. The trend is unlikely to change in this edition. This time around, we will have over 400 exhibitors spread over 12,000 sqm of stall area in three halls. We are three weeks away from the show and  there is a visible increase in the online registrations and we are 60% higher than last time at this stage. Even discounting the fact that people have become more adept at online engagement during Covid, we estimate that we should see around 25-30% increase in the visitor count.

You have been going around with the team of Pamex 2023 roadshows. How’s the print sector doing? What’s the mood?
The mood of the printers ranges from cautious optimism to total gung ho. The commercial printer was the worst affected during the pandemic. But they were seeing a steadily declining  business already and the trend has only got accentuated in the post pandemic scenario. Many commercial printers had begun the process of diversification to other segments in the later part of the last decade itself. Others were adopting technologies to move up the value chain or thrive in the short runs. They were also the leaders in embracing ‘Convergence in Print’ as a business strategy.

Besides managing the Pamex 2023, are there other activities you are busy with during the show? Please tell us about it?
We are planning to host an online conference ahead of the exhibition. This conference will focus on the ‘Convergence in Print’ theme for the benefit of those who could not attend the roadshows as well as on the products that will be on show at Pamex. During the show, we have the NAEP awards that will happen on 29 March, the third day of the event.

Pamex is a few days away. What’s going on in your mind? Have you already begun thinking of the next Pamex in 2025?
There’s a tacit understanding between IPAMA and AIFMP to  keep a space of around a year between Pamex and PrintPack. IPAMA is keen to get back into the odd year cycle and has chosen to have the next edition in February 2025. It was felt that the industry requires a major event every year. Therefore, AIFMP has decided to have the next edition of Pamex in February 2024 itself and then on get onto the even year cycle.

Your prediction of the Pamex 2023?
We have observed that Pamex always draws focused and quality visitors. The other fact is that a lot of business is concluded on the ground itself. We expect these trends will be further accentuated in this edition.