With the temperature hovering at minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit, and the smell of wood burning in our wood stove, it’s clear to me "We’re not in Miami any more, Toto"! Aside from the highly advertised record-cold temperatures in Miami this past weekend, the weather turned out to be quite pleasant for this dude covering the events at GOA-2003.

Let the record show that when my friends called to join them for weekend Superbowl festivities, I told them I was covering a show in Cleveland! Otherwise, they would think that I was on holiday. Not the case, since a well attended show with many vendors is tough to cover no matter where it’s located. Over 97% of GOA exhibitors rate the buyers qualified to extremely qualified, and the overwhelming majority - 96.2% plan to exhibit again. GOA was a very active show with real buyers. So, let’s now take a thumbnail view of some of the other companies, not previously covered, which showed their wares at GOA.

Challenge Machinery featured a Champion 305 XG paper cutter, an EH-3C paper drill, and Morgana EZ folder.

Contex Scanning showed the NEW CHROMA TX 40 wide format color scanner. This unit incorporates the latest in imaging technology for high-quality, full-color scanning and copying.

Cortron demonstrated the eXact 3040 Exposure System and the Cortron Plat Mounter. eXact, an new innovative, high definition exposure system.

ExactBind showed how to make a short run custom hard cover book using the H530 in minutes.

GLUEFAST introduced the GLUE RITER. A pen-like product designed for photo framing professionals. The GLUE RITER works with Gluefast's pressurized adhesive tank for mounting prints to matts.

Goss showcased their latest Community press for the Latin American markets, focusing on its features and capabilities both for new press investments and as tower additions to existing Community and competitor’s presses.

Hologram Industries displayed their line of optical security and brand protection components — holograms.

Hurst featured SmartPlate Suite - a Camera Replacement Software System designed for the small offset press. It allows users to go directly from a scanned imaged output to a SmartPlate via an HP LaserJet 5000/5100 laser printer.

Lamitech announced Jetboard - an inexpensive rigid media designed for direct ink jet printing — ideal for indoor POP signage. The paper based board is 100% recycle able and extremely durable.

Océ showed a bunch of wide format printers, all with the name Arizona. All of these printers do it faster, better and wider than their predecessors. Also featured was Onyx PosterShop software and their three levels for different sized shops.

Presstek was there in a number of booths (xpedx, Ryobi, Perez Trading) showing chemistry free CTP - Dimension CTP systems and Anthem thermal plates with impressive output.

xpedx, your basic graphic arts superstore, featured a wide variety of graphic arts equipment and supplies, including pre- and post-press products from industry leaders.

Thanks to all of you who have followed our GOA coverage. We hope it has been entertaining and informative. So long for now — until my next eXpert Row column, or our next trade show (On Demand).