Prepress Connect

• DatesJanuary 18–21, 2027 (expected)
• VenueAbu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
• LocationAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• CategoryPrinting & Publishing

Expected dates, not yet confirmed. These dates are projected from the previous edition of Prepress Connect. The organizer has not confirmed them yet, so check with the organizer before you book travel or pay for anything.

About Prepress Connect

Prepress Connect is a printing and publishing industry event expected to take place January 18–21, 2027 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It runs for four days, opening on Monday and closing on Thursday. With about 14 weeks to go, exhibitors still have time to order booth services and book hotels at reasonable rates.

Shows like this one typically draw print service providers, publishers, packaging converters, designers, marketing buyers and equipment dealers. We have not been able to confirm an official website for this show yet, so contact the organizer before making any plans.

ShowFloorTips is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the organizer. Dates, venues and rules can change, so confirm the details with the organizer before you book.

What to expect at Prepress Connect

Printing and publishing shows are hands-on, with presses, finishing equipment and samples running on the floor. Visitors compare output quality, speed and running costs.

Over four days, traffic usually peaks on the first two days and thins out on the last one. The quieter final day is a good time for longer conversations, visiting other stands and meeting suppliers. Expect most visitors to be print service providers and their colleagues, often with a short list of suppliers they want to see.

How exhibitors should prepare for Prepress Connect

Here is a working timeline counted back from the opening day, January 18, 2027 (expected date, so adjust once it is confirmed):

1. 16 weeks before (Sep 28, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Confirm your booth space and read the exhibitor manual. Book hotels near Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) while rates are still normal.
2. 8 weeks before (Nov 23, 2026)
   Order booth services (power, internet, furniture, cleaning) before the early-rate deadlines, and send graphics to print.
3. 4 weeks before (Dec 21, 2026)
   Ship freight to the advance warehouse if the organizer offers one. Book meetings with the visitors you most want to see. Set up lead capture and train the team on it.
4. One week before (Jan 11, 2027)
   Confirm freight arrived, share the staffing schedule, charge every device, and test your lead capture app with Wi-Fi turned off.

Preparation tips for printing and publishing shows

• Bring printed samples on the substrates your visitors use most.
• Prepare running-cost comparisons per page or per job.
• Plan equipment power and installation with the organizer early.

Booth tips for Prepress Connect

• Run jobs live and hand out samples; output quality sells itself.
• Ask about current volumes and equipment to size the opportunity.
• Collect files or specs visitors want to test after the show.
• Walk the hall at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) during move-in to see which entrances and aisles carry the most traffic, and set up your booth so it faces that flow.
• Plan shifts of three to four hours. Standing and talking for four days wears people out, and tired staff let good leads walk past.
• If you expect local buyers in United Arab Emirates, bring key material in the local language as well as English, and have prices ready in the local currency.
• Capture every conversation the moment it ends: scan the badge or card, add a one-line note about what the visitor needs, and rate the lead hot, warm or cold. Notes written that evening are already half forgotten.

For a full list of what to bring, use the free booth checklist, and plan the money side with the trade show ROI calculator.

Following up leads after Prepress Connect

Most of the value of a trade show is created after it closes. Offer a test print or sample run on the visitor's own job as the next step.

1. Within 24 hours (by Jan 22, 2027)
   Send a short personal email to every hot lead. Mention one detail from your conversation so they remember you.
2. By Jan 24, 2027
   Send everything you promised at the booth: prices, samples, demo links. Log each lead in your CRM with its rating and notes.
3. By Feb 4, 2027
   Make a second, useful touch: a case study, a short video or an answer to the question they asked. Warm leads often reply to this one.
4. By Feb 20, 2027
   Review results: how many leads became meetings, what each lead cost, and whether Prepress Connect is worth returning to.

Ready-to-edit messages for each step are in our trade show follow-up email templates.

Getting to Abu Dhabi

Zayed International Airport (AUH) is about 30 minutes by car from ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Taxis are the simplest way to reach the venue. Check entry rules for your passport; many nationalities receive a visa on arrival.

Because these dates are not confirmed yet, avoid non-refundable bookings until the organizer announces them. Our city travel guides cover hotels, transport and budgeting for the busiest show cities.

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