Bucking the Trend

Published: September 01, 2006, By By Claudia Hine Managing Editor

Exhibitors have booked more than 400,000 sq ft of display space at Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006, which takes place October 15-18 at McCormick Place South in Chicago, IL. Show organizer Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC) says this will be its largest graphic communications and converting exhibition since 2000.

According to Ralph J. Nappi, GASC president, “The strong growth of this show, year after year, is dramatic considering the significant challenges this industry has faced in recent years….”

More than 500 firms are expected to exhibit products and services targeted to graphic design, digital prepress, printing, publishing, and converting professionals. The show floor will be divided into four segments: Prepress Section, Press and Converting Section, Wide Format Pavilion, and Mailing and Fulfillment Center.

The Wide Format Pavilion will showcase inkjet printers in full production mode. GASC reports market projections indicate the worldwide retail value of wide format imaging will grow to almost $30 billion by 2007.

Interactive Seminar Program

Attendees have the opportunity to participate in several types of conference sessions this year:

• Regular Sessions comprise intensive seminars geared toward issues facing printers and how to achieve, overcome, predict, or resolve these issues. Three luncheon sessions and new panel sessions will offer an interactive experience.
• Double Sessions are highly focused seminars that run twice as long as regular seminars, allowing instructors to cover topics thoroughly.
• Computer Labs feature Mac workstations with trained instructors to teach you how to use software effectively and show you the tips and tricks.

Designed for Converters

This year GASC plans four seminars for those with a converting interest:

• Critical Factors in Printing and Converting — 2006 with Frank Romano, Rochester Inst. of Technology. At this luncheon session, trends in industry infrastructure, revenue levels, employment, and technology implementation will be discussed.
• Opportunities in Package Printing — Offset and Beyond with Hal Hinderliter, CalPoly. This seminar will cover offset, flexo, digital, and hybrid printing opportunities and will examine label and folding carton markets.
• The Label Market — Offset, Flexo, Digital with Frank Romano. This seminar covers technological advances — including in-line RFID printing — that will keep flexo viable into the future.
• The Future of Flexo with Frank Romano — Label and flexible packaging trends as well as long-term projections for the market will be covered in this session.

One day prior to the opening of the show, GASC will present its annual Executive Outlook conference, “Connecting Technology for Profit,” which will be chaired by William Lamparter, PrintCom Consulting. This program, which investigates technological trends, combines plenary sessions with breakouts devoted to specific markets, technology areas, or product groups.

For complete conference information or to register, visit www.graphexpo.com.