Show Delivers in Chicago, Exceeding Expectations
Nearly 38,000 visitors attend Graph Expo, which exhibitors call a strong buying event.
By Staff -- graphic arts online, 11/1/2002
As the show sponsor had predicted and exhibitors had hoped, last month's Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2002 in Chicago was quite a success. The four-day event, although it took place in the midst of a long industry slump, exceeded just about everyone's expectations, drawing nearly 38,000 total attendees (just under the anticipated number), who represented 9,600 firms.
In all, 570 exhibitors filled more than 380,000 square feet of exhibit space. In a sampling conducted just before the show, many vendors expressed optimism and set high sales goals.
The sponsor, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), noted that the show's solid attendance, strong sales, full seminar sessions, and abundant networking opportunities created the success for the industry that was sorely needed.
On the educational side, 64 seminars were offered in 11 categories. More than 1,500 attendees registered for the sessions, including about 200 for the Adobe Acrobat PDF seminar.
In a pre-show program highlighting can't-miss exhibits drawn from nearly 200 nominations, 18 products earned a Must See 'em designation, 16 a Worth-a-Look tag.
A "town hall" meeting organized by Xerox Corporation drew nearly 1,000 attendees.
The show is jointly owned by the National Association for Printing Leadership; NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies; and the Printing Industries of America. A portion of the revenue is invested in programs that benefit the industry.
Next year, Graph Expo and Converting Expo returns to Chicago; show dates are September 28-October 1.
In cooperation with GASC, Graphic Arts Monthly published the Official Show Daily. Printed copies of the four editions are available for $20; call JoAnn Powell at (646) 746-7321 to order.
