Miami Beach, Florida– March 8, 2005–Graphics of the Americas, the largest annual international graphic communications education and exhibit showplace, today announced the results of their 30th annual exhibit and conference held in Miami Beach, Florida, February 3-5, 2005. The event organizers are happy to report that this year’s attendance exceeded the previous year by 10-15%, totaling between 22,000 and 23,000 visitors. In addition, over 450 exhibitors occupying 1100 individual booths filled over 500,000 square feet of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Many of the exhibiting companies also used Graphics of the Americas as a launch pad for new product introductions, partnerships and organizational announcements leading up to and during the 3-day event including Creo, ESKO-Graphics, Goss International, H/P, IBM, Muller Martini, St. Ives, Trinity Graphics, UILMAC, Xeikon and Xerox. “The Graphics of the Americas show was a huge success for Xeikon,” states Kristof Vereenooghe, President-Xeikon America. “We are very confident about the future business resulting from the GOA exhibit and the shift of printers worldwide towards the digital format. This confirms that Xeikon- the only printing press manufacturer that concentrates solely on digital color web-fed systems is in the right place at the right time, with the right product,” added Kristof.[1] While Graphics of the Americas attracts a significant percentage of its attendance from Latin America, over the years the event has developed into a truly international showplace. This year, the exhibitors and conference organizers saw 35% of this year’s attendance from Canada, Europe, Russia, Asia, The Caribbean and 65% from the United States. The show’s management attributes a portion of this is due ot the event’s International Buyers Program designation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which provided international visitors with a variety of benefits and incentives, including travel documentation and support. Educational Sessions Round out Event Experience In addition to a busy exhibit floor, visitors to Graphics of the Americas also took part in educational conference sessions from National Association of PhotoShop Professionals (NAPP), The InDesign Conference and Xplor International, who for the first time, provided attendees with a Variable Data and Digital Color Printing Conference. Using a combination of case studies, best practices as well as expert discussion attendees including printers, creative, and marketing professionals gained insight to the application, value and business side of variable data and digital color. Xplor, as well as The InDesign and NAPP conference organizers reported better than expected attendance with audiences in the hundreds. “This year’s Graphics of the Americas exceeded our expectations as far as attendance, exhibitors and buying on the show floor,” said Chris Price, general manager and vice president of Graphics of the Americas. “I believe our success this year is a strong indicator to the returning health of the printing industry, overall general economy and print as a preferred communications medium.” Looking Ahead to Graphics of the Americas 2006 Both attendees and exhibitors of Graphics of the Americas 2006 can look forward to a unique event featuring over 500 exhibiting companies, covering 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and attended by over 22,000-plus printers and creative professionals from around the world. With the announcement during a joint press conference held on Friday, February 4, 2005 with Graphics of the Americas, Xplor International announced that they would co-locate their 2005 Global Electronic Document Systems Conference and Exhibit to the 31st annual Graphics of the Americas, held February 3rd - 5th, 2006 (conference begins February 1st). With the addition of Xplor’s well-know educational curricula and exhibitors, participants can look forward to over 150 conference sessions covering the latest topics facing document, printing, designers, art directors and advertising individuals in addition to the latest document technology solutions for enterprise attendees through Xplor’s loyal exhibitors. Together, the combined conference and exhibit will provide both attendees and exhibitors with a venue that addresses the needs of both end-users and printers with a one-of-a kind showcase for the convergence of knowledge, products and technology. In addition, the partnership builds upon the strengths of both organizations, bridging the gap between digital and non-digital worlds that is both education and exhibit oriented.