SHOW PREVIEW: Digital Print Show Opening Soon

The epicenter of digital print and document management converges on Boston next month, where the On Demand Conference & Expo makes its second appearance in that city. Joining the event for the first time is the 28th annual Xplor conference, a gathering for users of similar digital print technologies working within corporate IT centers. Another event held in conjunction with the show is AIIM, which centers on the handling and storage of “structured and unstructured” data (it used the be a microfilim and microfiche users group, if that helps explain it).

The On Demand event has a succinct mission: digital printing conferences and an exposition, encompassing all the technologies used to create, manage, personalize, print and deliver content. Conferences run March 3-6; the expo March 4-6, both at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center.

The On Demand exhibit hall has 200 exhibitors of products to create, manage, personalize, print and deliver content and information. Event sponsors/exhibitors include: Canon USA, Eastman Kodak, Konica Minolta and Xerox.

Unique among those on the show floor will be Presstek, which will present the only offset-based print solutions built around its DI direct-imaging technology. A complete list of exhibitors can be found at www.ondemandexpo.com.

The On Demand Conference includes more than 50 sessions by industry leaders and innovators offering key information to increase productivity and profits. On Tuesday, March 4, at 8 a.m., InfoTrends' Charles Pesko will deliver a state of the industry address, “From Print to Marketing Service Provider.” Then New York Times personal technology columnist David Pogue will present the opening keynote at 8:30 a.m., “The Power of Simplicity.” Pogue will discuss why “software rage” has become an epidemic and how the problem is the software design itself—the interface. The issue is intensifying as program and Website design grow in importance and getting it right is extremely difficult. Pogue will also discuss the interface design of the future for both much bigger and smaller display screens.

Wednesday, March 5, at 8 a.m. features a keynote panel title, “Reflections on Super Tuesday: What's at Stake & What's to Come,” moderated by political commentator Carlos Watson, with panelists Pat Buchanan, political analyst and two-time Republican presidential candidate, and Howard Fineman, Newsweek senior Washington correspondent.

Also on March 5 at 10:10 a.m., InfoTrends Jim Hamilton will moderate the keynote panel, “Emerging Technologies and What to Expect in 2008.” Expert predictions on anticipated industry announcements (presumably including drupa) will come from HP's Francis McMahon, U.S. graphic arts director of marketing, print service providers; InfoPrint's Bob Kilcullen, senior VP & GM; Kodak's Jeffrey Hayzlett, chief business development officer & corporate VP; Océ's Mal Baboyian, president, digital document systems; and Xerox's Quincy Allen, president, Product Systems Group.

InfoTrends' analysts will also present a preview of new products and services on display at the show at 7:30 a.m. on the expo's opening day.

ONLINE: ondemandexpo.com, xplor.org, aiimexpo.com