January 24, 2003 -- At the end of 2002, nine full months before opening day, Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), the show's producer, announced that GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003 had committed more than 80 percent of its available exhibit space, creating the prospect of another show larger than 350,000 net square feet despite recent recessionary economic conditions. GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003 will be held September 28-October 1 in the South Hall of the McCormick Place Complex, Chicago, IL. A large part of the early surge in space reservations for 2003 came on-site in Chicago during the 2002 show, which was hailed as a highly successful selling event by exhibitors of all sizes across all product categories. Exhibitor inquiries and space reservations have continued to be brisk through the end of 2002 and early in 2003, reported the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), the show's producer. Coupled with cautiously optimistic economic forecasts for the coming year from industry analysts, the success of GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2002 raised hopes for an even more productive show in 2003. At the recent PRINT OUTLOOK 2003 conference in Washington, sponsored by NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES), economists from both the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and the Printing Industries of America (PIA) forecast growth for the coming year. PIA Chief Economist Ronnie Davis said print sales would likely be up in 2003, about three percent on average, while NAPL's Andrew Paparozzi predicted a return to sales growth this year after two consecutive years of declines. While a renewal of robust economic growth is not yet predicted, other speakers noted that broad implementation of new technology and penetration of new markets have created important profit opportunities for printing, publishing and converting businesses. "All of these factors contribute to a prudent optimism in our planning for GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003," said GASC President Regis J. Delmontagne. "Our shows have remained strong through the last several years even as major events across other industries have shrunk and struggled. That's because managers throughout our industry recognize the key role of smart technology investments in building future success. The 2003 edition of GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO will continue this trend." As part of its effort to inform attendees about promising opportunities, the 2003 show will feature a new edition of the Wide Format Opportunities Pavilion that made a well-received debut in 2002. A broad seminar program, brunch presentations, general sessions, and other special events will also augment the show's value. Additional details about GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO are available at www.graphexpo.org , where updated information will be posted frequently in the months leading up to the show. Site visitors can also obtain information about other GASC-managed events, including PRINT '05, GUTENBERG FESTIVAL, GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW and the VUE/POINT Conference. GASC is owned by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES), and the Printing Industries of America (PIA). GASC is located at 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4367 USA, telephone: 703/264-7200, fax: 703/620-9187, e-mail: [email protected].