Graph Expo To Move To Orlando

By Bob Neubauer

If there's one thing you can always count on in this industry it's a trip to Chicago in the fall for Graph Expo, the country's largest trade show for printers. So it was something of a shock to learn yesterday that the Graphic Arts Show Company is moving the show to Orlando in 2016. It will take place September 25-28, 2016, in Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.

“We see Orlando as an ideal destination to maintain and expand our current U.S. audience, and also build our international contingent of attendees, particularly from Latin America,” explained GASC President Ralph Nappi—though this was only one reason for the change. The bottom line, he said, was cost.

"The costs continue to be an issue," he told IPG. Costs to exhibitors and attendees alike are high in Chicago.

He acknowledges that another reason for the venue change was the inability to secure dates in Chicago in 2016 that didn't conflict with religious holidays, as has happened at past Graph Expos. This is what initially spurred GASC to look elsewhere.

"It's a good idea to look for some options," he said. "We just think the time is right for us to consider alternatives."

Though some wonder about the practicality of going to Orlando during Florida's hurricane season, there are perks. Hotels will cost less and vendors will enjoy the lack of surprise on-site labor charges due to the union-free environment. He points out that, for the upcoming Graph Expo in Chicago, only five of the 25 show hotels have rates below $200; in Orlando next year, 20 of the 25 show hotels will cost less than $200.

This is not the first time Graph Expo has strayed from the Windy City. It has ventured east to New York and Philadelphia a few times in years past. And Chicago lovers will be pleased to know that the global PRINT 17 show will return to Chicago in September of 2017, in deference to the large number of Midwest printers who drive to the show. Beyond that, anything's possible, Nappi said.

"I can anticipate a world where may it will be on a rotation basis," he speculates.

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Bob Neubauer Author's page

Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.

Graph Expo in Florida?