Show Preview: Graph Expo's Goal

Published: August 01, 2011, By By Claudia Hine, Managing Editor

When the 2011 edition of Graph Expo opens September 11 at McCormick Pl. South in Chicago, IL, attendees will see the return of several exhibitors missing from last year's show. That's good news for the event, which is produced by Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), Reston, VA.

“There's something for everyone at this show,” says Katherine O'Brien, editor of American Printer, PFFC's sister franchise. “The big question is: Who will bring equipment?”

Heidelberg, for one. The company, based in Germany and Kennesaw, GA, plans to exhibit its KAMA ProCut 74F automatic die-cutting system and ProFold 74 folder-gluer in Booth 1200 at this show.

New This Year

Making its global debut is the Marketing Pavilion. This one-stop destination for marketing, education, resources, and networking is sponsored by the Chicago chapter of the American Marketing Assn.

According to Ralph Nappi, president of GASC, “Today's graphic communications professionals are...transitioning into the world of marketing services. Given the expanded focus of these attendees and to provide offerings for experienced marketers at the show as well, we determined the best way to meet the increasing need for marketing products, information, and knowledge was to provide a concentrated area right on the show floor....”

Among the special interest sections returning once again are PackPrint, covering package printing; Future Print, featuring printed electronics and RFID; the third annual GREENspace, dedicated to eco-friendly products and services; and the Prepress/Software/Workflow section.

Seminars of Note

Graph Expo traditionally kicks off its seminar program with a pre-show Executive Outlook Conference. This year it takes place on Saturday, September 10, from 12:00-6:00 P.M. The program, “Embracing Technology and Market Trends for Profitability,” will include updates on both traditional and digital print technology. Sessions on sustainability and social networking also will be presented.

At the end of the conference, an announcement of the 2011 “Must See 'Ems” will be made. These are the products chosen by a panel of industry experts as the most innovative and compelling on display at this year's show.

The general seminar program runs Sunday, September 11, through Tuesday, September 13, and features more than 50 sessions spanning 11 market segments. Sessions of particular interest to converters include:

• Digital Printing for Packaging: Ready or Not!
• Pioneering Printed Electronics: The Next Breakout Business-Growth Opportunity
• UV Curing Exposed: Markets, Implementaton & Technical Pitfalls

Stop by to visit PFFC and American Printer at Booth 4656. See you there!

Resource Info

• Graph Expo | www.graphexpo.com

• GASC | www.gasc.org

• American Printer | www.americanprinter.com

• Heidelberg | www.heidelberg.com

Show Hours

• Sunday, September 11 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Monday, September 12 | 10:00 a.m-5:00 p.m
• Tuesday, September 13 | 10:00 a.m-5:00 p.m
• Wednesday, September 14 | 10:00 a.m-4:00 p.m

Mobile Attendee Guide

Before the show, be sure to download the American Printer Graph Expo Mobile Attendee Guide to help you navigate the event. It includes a searchable exhibitor list, show floor map, full conference program schedule, and breaking news.