Printing/Converting Show Bursting at the Seams

Published: September 01, 2000, By Claudia Hine, Senior Editor

Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2000, which will take place September 24-27 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, is now a "two-hall" show. The event's producer, Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), reports that with the North Hall sold out for almost six months, the show has expanded to include the facility's Lakeside Center. The expanded show floor will feature almost 550 companies occupying 465,000 sq ft of exhibit space.

GASC expects more than 45,000 attendees at this year's event. Visitors can register for the show, enroll for seminars, and make hotel reservations on-line at gasc.org.

The web site offers an "Attendee Assistant" feature that provides a keyword search of the exhibitor database, together with an option to ask a specific technical or product question. The Attendee Assistant then will connect visitors to exhibitors best able to answer these questions.

Adding to the Displays
A full-day conference, Executive Outlook 2000, will take place on the eve of the show. It is designed to give attendees an advance look at the major trends, new product developments, and issues shaping the industry. According to conference chairman William Lamparter, president of PrintCom Consulting, "By scheduling the Executive Outlook conference on the day before Graph Expo and Converting Expo, we enable attendees to be better prepared to get the most from their time in the exhibit hall."

Lamparter also will chair a one-hour pre-show seminar on opening day devoted to "Must See `Ems"—a list of ten new products or developments that show visitors should be sure to check out.

A number of seminars will address issues important to converters, including Basic Foil Stamping and Embossing, Advanced Foil Stamping Techniques, and sessions focusing on color control. GASC also has added three new converting-specific seminars to its educational program:

• Trends in the Packaging Industry

  , Dr. Joseph W. Webb, TrendWatch

• Update: Graphics on Corrugated & Paperboard Packaging

  , Dr. J. Page Crouch, Clemson University

• Update: Graphics for Packaging and Label Applications

  , Dr. Crouch

GASC reports that many of the 150-plus converting exhibitors in Chicago will be using the show as an opportunity to launch new products. New packaging-oriented presses will be showcased by such companies as Graphic Systems Services, Heidelberg USA, and MAN Roland.

Bobst Group (Booth 2244) will show the Sprintera 106-PER, the newest addition to its Autoplaten line of die-cutters. The equipment offers a completely redesigned production line and a new cut-to-print register system.

RDP Marathon (Booth 5355) will feature its offset-based SR-Series and digital press control system, Smart*Set 2000, which is built on the concept of combining offset with other printing technologies through interchangeable inserts. According to Brian Ivens, director of international marketing for RDP, "Printers that embrace this technology to run folding cartons, flexible packaging, direct mail, specialty documents, and labels gain a significant competitive advantage, because web-fed is faster than sheet-fed, and finishing can be done in-line."

Flint Ink (Booth 2490) will demonstrate the SFI Single Fluid Ink concept technology and Globalink color replication system. According to Kathy Marx, VP/marketing, "The response to these new products at Drupa 2000 was extraordinary."

Yupo Corp. (Booth 5230) will feature an Internet synthetic paper resource, yupo.com, and the Team Yupo business development program.

For more show information contact GASC, 1899 Preston White Dr., Reston, VA 20191; 703/264-7200; gasc.org.