A Trade Show Redefined

Printers need to know how they can best serve the evolving needs of their clients, and the first step is becoming thoroughly immersed in the latest tools available. With knowledge comes confidence, which makes the printer a more effective shopper.

"Companies can't sit back—not attend events like Graph Expo—and say that they'll invest when the economy gets better," notes Ralph Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), which produces Graph Expo. "Whether they're commercial printers, photo imagers or transactional printers, they all realize this is the new reality, the new normal. And that's why, despite the fact that the industry is still struggling, we were up 12 percent on company attendance and 7 percent in individual attendees last year. And, I believe we'll see increases again this year."

In addition to the show floor, packed with more than 450 vendors, GASC has compiled an impressive array of learning opportunities for this year's show, taking place in Chicago from October 7-10. These will include more than 50 seminars in 31 educational categories (including an in-plant seminar track) along with 48 co-located conferences, user group meetings and events. The influx of users and dealer groups, award ceremonies, association meetings and workshops only validates Graph Expo as the "place to be," according to Nappi.

A Learning Event

"GASC is...doing an intelligent thing in making Graph Expo a meeting and learning type event," affirms Bill Lamparter, president of PrintCom Consulting Group. "For a printer sitting in the weeds who says 'I'm not going because I'm not going to buy any equipment,' that's the wrong mindset. This is your chance to get information in certain topic areas where you need education."

Jim Hamilton, of Info­Trends, feels there will be ample story lines to follow in Chicago from an exhibitor standpoint. Some dramas began to play themselves out before Germany and may impact what is seen next month: Eastman Kodak selling some of its intellectual property; Heidelberg in the post-Bernhard Schreier era; Benny Landa and the Nanographic printing process.

More specifically, Hamilton expects to see some exciting developments on the color inkjet end, B2-format digital and short-run packaging. He offers one caveat, though: B2-format digital products can't get by on being offset clones. "To succeed, this next generation of products needs to incorporate these features: automatic duplex, the ability to draw from multiple paper sources, and connectivity to in-line finishing," he declares.