Surabaya Printing Expo 2026 Officially Opens, Featuring AI Workshop and SME Seminar
The Surabaya Printing Expo (SPE) 2026 officially opened at the Grand City Convention Center in Surabaya today. Now in its 19th edition, the largest printing industry exhibition in Eastern Indonesia will run for four days, from 8 to 11 July 2026. The event serves as a strategic platform connecting manufacturers, distributors, business players, designers, and creative professionals to expand business networks and accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technology.
In his opening remarks, Krista Exhibitions CEO Daud D. Salim expressed optimism that the expo would act as a catalyst for the growth of the graphic arts industry in East Java. He noted that as one of the country’s largest industrial and trade hubs, the region holds significant potential to drive the development of the printing and graphics sector, particularly in line with the increasing needs of the manufacturing, packaging, advertising, and creative economy industries.
The 2026 expo is more extensive than previous editions, featuring over 150 exhibitors, including 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) showcasing local potential. Organisers are targeting 15,000 visitors over the four days. Attendees can gain hands-on experience with demonstrations of the latest printing machinery, covering a wide spectrum from efficient conventional digital and offset printing to future technologies such as 3D printing, UV printing, and increasingly sophisticated web-based printing systems. These innovations, presented by various renowned domestic and international brands, provide local business players with deep insights into the global industry’s rapid movement towards digitalisation and automation.
Beyond the exhibition, SPE 2026 offers a space for collaboration, education, and competency enhancement, bringing together industry practitioners, academics, business players, and creative communities. A series of seminars and workshops will explore strategic issues, including the utilisation of digital technology, product innovation development, and strategies for building sustainable and competitive businesses. A key highlight is the workshop titled ‘From Idea to Merchandise: An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workshop for Creative Merchandise Design’, which will delve into how AI can enhance efficiency, productivity, and open new business opportunities in the creative process.
The expo’s commitment to fostering the creative industry is further demonstrated through a seminar on ‘Strategies for UMKM to Level Up Through Creative Business & Product Packaging’. This session will discuss the importance of product innovation, strengthening brand identity, and attractive packaging design as strategies to boost the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises in both national and international markets.