GOA to Offer Attendees More Bang for the Buck
- Published: January 01, 2004, By Edited by Deborah Donberg
Graphics of the Americas, held at the Convention Center in Miami Beach, FL, January 23-25, traditionally has been the first major trade show of the year and the second largest graphic arts and converting exhibition in the US. With more than 22,000 attendees expected and 500 companies exhibiting on 500,000 sq ft of floor space, the show — sponsored by the Printing Association of Florida — targets the southeastern and northeastern US, Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Now, nearing its 30th anniversary, GOA has added several exciting enhancements to the show, including the TrendVision conference and the Doorway to Düsseldorf (DtD) Tech Preview.
“Thoughtful” Conference Program
A precursor to GOA, TrendVision will be held January 22-23 and promises to deliver an insightful look at the most important trends that will affect the graphic communications industry in 2004 and beyond, show organizers say.
According to conference chairperson Frank Romano, “TrendVision is the first conference to bring together all the major ‘thinkers’ who research and analyze the printing and document industries. It is the first conference to emphasize trends as its content focus. The major question is: Where is the printing industry headed? Printers and others want to get some ideas, so they can plan capital investments and marketing opportunities.”
Eleven industry experts will convene at the conference for two days of interactive discussions and debate designed specifically to aid in setting spending priorities to help attendees make key strategy and buying decisions for the next five years.
Trendvision topics will include buying, packaging, management, corporate communication, advertising, predicting the future, demographics, creativity, and the information factory.
Chris Price, the show's VP and general manager, reports exclusive Doorway to Düsseldorf exhibitor technology previews will be available to attendees of GOA. Price says the DtD exhibition activity, with its focus on major spring 2004 technology and product announcements, serves as a perfect companion to the inaugural two-day TrendVision conference.
“We have a responsibility to look ahead and provide GOA attendees with not only what they want to know, but what they need to know,” Price says. “Doorway to Düsseldorf and TrendVision are complementary exhibits and conference activities that will give our guests the benefit of seeing the world's most important, coming technologies in the context of the most expert perspective on the future available.”
Another show highlight — the 22nd annual Graphic Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) award ceremony and dinner — will be held Friday, January 23, from 7:30 P.M.-11:00 P.M. This year's honorees are Jerry Williamson of Williamson Printing Corp., Dallas, TX, and Ernesto Salviat of Wetzig Egraf S.A., Chile.
Show hours are Friday 11:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.; Saturday 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.; Sunday, 11:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. For more information visit graphicsoftheamericas.com.
