July 8, 2003 -- Reston, VA - From labels for plastic bottles to dazzling boxes for the latest computer games, America's markets abound in creative and attention-getting packaging, much of it relying on leading-edge print design and production technology to achieve its distinctive appearance. Packaging has become one of the most exciting areas where marketing and graphic communications meet. More and more commercial printers are investigating the possibilities represented by converting to boost their profits and enter new markets, or to provide additional services to their existing customers. What's ahead in this fast-paced field? Visitors to the industry's leading trade show, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003, will find the answers on display in Chicago this fall. GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO will be held September 28 to October 1 at McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL. More than 500 companies are expected to exhibit in some 360,000 square feet of display space. This will be the largest and most comprehensive show in the Americas this year addressing all types of print, including digital, wide format ink jet, converting, and emerging new media based on digital workflows, with a special new section featuring mailing and fulfillment exhibits. Close to a third of the show floor will be devoted to converting exhibits, with top vendors from a variety of disciplines participating. Exhibitors will include many of the leading innovators in equipment and supplies for post-press, flexible packaging, folding carton, and related products. Converting has exploded in popularity in the last 10 years since the floor section was initiated, and the number of vendors and suppliers participating in the event has remained steadily on the increase over the years. Opportunities for offset printers in converting and package printing have expanded as well with the increase in the sophistication in prepress technology, and the boost in output quality offered by flexographic technology. Offset printers, who are used to managing color, controlling workflow over shorter runs, managing digital assets over multiple projects and managing simultaneous jobs on different lines are at a distinct advantage when entering today's evolving converting and packaging market. Subsequently, the converting section of the show floor has grown in size and sophistication over the years as well. Printers seeking to enter this sector will find all the information they need to be successful at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO this year. "Initially, this expansion of the show to include converting was intended both to help print businesses seek out growth opportunities in the closely related packaging industry, and to show packaging specialists how they could upgrade the appearance and shelf appeal of their products through better design and printing," said Regis J. Delmontagne, president of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), the show's producer. "Today we have continued and expanded that portion of the show in response to expressed needs of the industry, as technology has evolved and demand for high quality converting has increased," he noted. Among companies scheduled to exhibit are Brandtjen & Kluge, Bielomatik-Jagenberg, Carton Craft, Prime UV Systems, Brausse, CG Machinery, Dexter-Lawson, Colter & Peterson/Amatco, Rollem, Bottcher America, ProPack and many others. Additional details about GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO are available at www.graphexpo.com , 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, the GUTENBERG FESTIVAL, GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW and the VUE/POINT Conference.