Personalisation Experience 2025 set to showcase advancements in intelligent manufacturing
The upcoming Personalisation Experience 2025 is set to be a pivotal event for industry professionals interested in the latest advancements in personalisation and intelligent manufacturing technologies. Scheduled to take place from 6-9 May 2025 at the Messe Berlin in Germany, this inaugural event will introduce FESPA's new SmartHub feature, which aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and explore cutting-edge solutions in the sector.
FESPA's SmartHub will encompass a series of expert-led conference sessions and an innovative Smart Factory Trail. This dual approach aims to emphasise the importance of adopting the latest technologies and software across various disciplines to enhance operational efficiency and reduce waste, particularly relevant in the context of digital production methods.
Central to the event, the Smart Factory Trail will allow attendees to navigate through exhibitors presenting personalisation solutions and advanced manufacturing technologies using the FESPA App and QR codes situated throughout the exhibition. By highlighting advancements in software and on-demand printing solutions, the trail promises to provide participants with valuable insights into contemporary manufacturing practices.
The SmartHub Conference is a key component of the event, offering a free-to-attend programme that will run during the first three days of the expo. The conference sessions will be held in Hall 5.2, Stand A55 and will be moderated by Frank Tueckmantel. The agenda features a range of discussions led by industry experts, centering on the implications of personalisation and smart production in marketing, and the benefits for speciality printers investing in customisation-enabling technologies.
Among the confirmed sessions is “Mass Customisation in the Age of AI,” presented by Frank Piller from the RWTH Aachen University. This session will delve into how AI is transforming mass customisation, showcasing the potential for firms to leverage these technologies for enhanced personalisation of products and services. Attendees can expect to gain insight into the strategic integration necessary for maximising AI’s benefits in this sector.
Another intriguing session, “RSPCA: Data-driven marketing for greater impact,” features a panel including Charlie Stewart from Ebi, Tom Ridges from Herdify, and Ben Briggs from Join the Dots. This presentation will focus on how charities, specifically the RSPCA’s Christmas campaign, are utilising data-led strategies to optimise marketing efforts, evidenced by an 80% increase in donor acquisition through effective targeting based on behavioural insights.
Kerry Sanders, VP of Market & New Business Development at EFI, will lead a session titled “The Power of Personalisation: Transforming corrugated packaging with right-sized, on-demand digital printing.” This will examine the advantages of digital printing technology in responding to consumer demand for personalisation while exploring new revenue streams associated with customisation.
Further enriching the conference experience are scheduled panel discussions, including one led by Debbie McKeegan, FESPA's Textile Ambassador, centred on evolving trends in smart manufacturing. One notable panel discussion, “The Rise of B2B in Print On-Demand,” will feature insights from industry leaders, including Rusty Pepper and Hans Scheffer, discussing the unique challenges and strategies for growth in the B2B print-on-demand market.
FESPA's Duncan MacOwan, Head of Marketing and Events, emphasized the value of the SmartHub, stating that the event presents an opportunity for attendees to learn from industry visionaries and gain real-life insights into expanding their personalisation offerings. He noted the conference's extension over three days "building on the success of the Personalisation Conference over the last two years."
In addition to the SmartHub, visitors to Personalisation Experience 2025 will also benefit from free access to co-located events such as the FESPA Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo. Attendees will have the chance to explore cutting-edge solutions across specialty print, signage, and visual communications, further broadening their industry knowledge and networking opportunities.