In less than four months it will be time for the first live PSI after the pandemic. In this
interview, PSI Director Petra Lassahn talks specifically about the planned program, the
mood in and the response from the industry.

Dear Petra, first the question about the visitor side: how is the response to the
opening of the PSI ticket store?

“First of all, I am pleased that the industry gives full support to PSI. And I’m not claiming that
based on any theoretical scenarios. Our figures prove this fact in black and white: over 60
percent of the hall space has been booked, and another 25 percent has been reserved.
That’s an impressive 85 percent by the end of September – something that wasn’t always the
case even before the pandemic.

As far as visitors are concerned: We are currently developing visitor packages for various
countries in order to make the retailers’ PSI visit as easy and enjoyable as possible together
with the international associations. The interest is great: even before the ticketshop opened,
there were many inquiries. Tickets have finally been available since mid-September and we
are pleased with the high quality of the already legitimized trade visitors from Brazil,
Denmark, Germany, Israel, Pakistan, Slovakia and Switzerland.”

What is the booking situation like on the exhibitor side less than four months before
the trade show in January 2023?

“Before we talk about figures I would like to point out that many of the big names will return to
the European exhibition floor at PSI 2023. With this said, we expect around 400 international
exhibitors from January 10 to 12. Amongst them Fare, Halfar, Daiber, mbw and SND
Porcellaine from the JCK Group, burgerpen, Victorinox, Reflects, elasto, Heri Rigoni, Neutral,
Blooms out of the Box, Paul Stricker and many more. Already today you can sense the
positive mood, the excitement about the reunion and of course, the curiosity and excitement
about what is yet to come.“

Will PromoTex Expo and viscom play a role at PSI?

“Yes, PromoTex and viscom will be part of PSI but not as separated shows. We have talked
a lot with the market. Intense discussions and analyses have shown the relevance of those
topics and therefore PromoTex and viscom will be integrated into the PSI promotional
products trade show again. Finishing and printing techniques in the promotional products
industry, as well as textiles and merchandising, remain an integral and very important part of
the trade show. In 2023, these thematic focal points will be reflected in various special areas
such as the Textile Village, the Textile Campus and the traveling exhibition ökoRAUSCH
Wissenswelt. Another new feature is the “Special Show Finishing”. Here, specialists from the
knowledge fields of advertising technology and product and textile finishing – such as Roland
DG, Stahls, Walz Embroidery Machines and cameo – will make current lettering and finishing
techniques literally tangible. Visitors at the trade show will be able to personalize a variety of
products, from mugs to USB sticks, with their own hands over there.“

What can you already reveal as of today: which trends will PSI 2023 focus on in
particular?

“Sustainability has become an integral part of the promotional products industry. Accordingly,
this booming topic will be examined in a practical and segment-specific way at the trade
show. Thus, experts at the Textile Campus will provide valuable impulses on sustainable
textile production, fair and ecological supply chains, eco-design, circular economy, recycling
and upcycling, seals, standards and certifications. Besides, the nominees of the PSI
Sustainability Awards will show how companies can make their processes, products and
corporate culture more sustainable.

In addition, there will be special topics such as GUSTO, but especially newcomers and
inventors, who traditionally enjoy a special status at PSI.

After a three-year break, there are numerous new products and exciting concepts on the
market that finally want to be presented again on an international stage. In addition, the trade
show offers plenty of trends and inspiration for businesses.”

What other changes await visitors?

“In 2023, we have positioned PSI in such a way that it actively supports the heavily affected
industry, drives current market developments and addresses new as well as important,
topical issues. In addition to the special shows already mentioned, we are offering two
Community Cafés for the first time in hall 9 and 10, to provide the industry extra space for
personal exchange for their international get-together.

Even more remarkable is certainly the approach of the PSI Sustainability Awards to the trade
show. Thus, for the first time in their now eight-year history, the awards will be presented on
the evening of the first trade show day and underscore the relevance of sustainability in the
promotional products industry.“

The first live PSI since 2020 is finally upon us again: will PSI 2023 also be available
digitally?

“Well, the pandemic has accelerated a wide range of developments, especially and
particularly in the digital area of the event industry. Nevertheless, the focus is clearly on the
personal reunion! So there will be no digital twin of the trade show event. However, live
streaming of the awards ceremony and a new edition of PSI TV are planned. Here we offer
interesting discussions and hand-picked highlights of the trade show as well as the
supporting program – broadcast live and available on demand for our members after the
trade show.“

www.psi-messe.com
www.planet-advertising.com

Published on: September 20th, 2022