As LOPE-C (Large-area, Organic & Printed Electronics Convention) 2011 has come to a close, the second of the major printed electronics conferences has concluded. As was the case with Printed Electronics Europe 2011, held in Dusseldorf, Germany in April, the conference drew more than 1,000 attendees and nearly 100 exhibitors.

For many attendees and exhibitors alike, the question has been whether it was necessary to have two European events for the nascent industry. OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association), the organizer of LOPE-C, and IDTechEx, PE Europe’s organizer, have heard the questions, and proactively decided to combine their efforts in Europe next year.

In conjunction with Messe München International (MMI), the OE-A and IDTechEx will co-host the new event from June 19-21, 2012 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Norbert Bargmann, deputy CEO of Messe München, noted that MMI already hosts two major shows in the electronics field, adding that productronica and electronica cover the broad spectrum of products and services in electronics and electronic applications.

“We are looking forward to this cooperation with our partners which will enable us to offer a new and high-quality platform to all the manufacturers, industrial customers and research institutions engaged in the field of organic and printed electronics,” Bargmann added. “With Messe München International as the host and organizer, all the players in this market will benefit greatly from our existing expertise in this sector.”

“The industry wanted to concentrate its efforts on one show,” Raghu Das, CEO of IDTechEx, said. “ IDTechEx and OE-A are delighted to have achieved this, and now with the new partner Messe München International we will develop and grow the event for the industry in Europe.

“I am very pleased that the partners have come together and agreed on this grand solution,” said Wolfgang Mildner, OE-A board member and managing director of PolyIC GmbH & Co. KG. “For the industry and for the further development of organic and printed electronics, a joint event is certainly the best and the strongest solution.”

“Having two shows added uncertainty to the community,” said Dr. Stephan Kirchmeyer, director of production and technology for Heraeus Clevios GmbH and the incoming OE-A chairman. “People wanted an environment where they didn’t have to struggle to choose where to use their resources.”

Mildner and Das said that the attendees and exhibitors they have spoken with were very pleased with the decision to consolidate the conferences.

“I think the industry reaction has been quite nice,” Mildner said.

“The feedback has been great,” Das said. “We are already hearing of companies that are planning to purchase larger booths and increase their presence next year. The printed electronics industry will become a tens of billions of dollars industry within the next decade, and our combined European event is more than just a showcase for the current pulse of the industry – it will act as a catalyst to promote and grow the sector.”