All over the world, companies that supply innovative equipment and services to the commercial, package printing, publishing and converting industry are gearing up for the industry’s largest and most important event of the year, PRINT 05 & CONVERTINGSM 05. The show will run September 9-15 at the McCormick Place Complex in Chicago. Some 70,000 people are expected to attend, viewing nearly 800 company exhibits filling about 750,000 net square feet of exhibit space. “This will be the show not to miss as converters strive to stay competitive with new technology,” said Nelson Stevens, President of Independent Machinery, Inc., which will occupy 1,500 square feet in booth 10037. “We anticipate a tremendous turnout for PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 and are excited to debut new technology in 41-inch foil stamping from Gietz, Sanwa die cutters/blankers, Heiber & Schroeder windowing systems and Tunkers’ litho-laminators,” Stevens added. At Print Craft Supply, LLC and Carton Craft Supply, President Mark Doxtader agreed that “PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 is a major show for us, and one that no one in the industry can afford to miss!” Show visitors, he added, can expect to see “innovative products which are unlike anything they have ever seen before, including the latest innovations in in-line finishing, die-cutting, printing, and more, which will increase your productivity and give you the competitive advantages your company needs in today’s market.” Print Craft Supply and Carton Craft Supply will display in Booth 234, an 800 square foot space. From the largest exhibitors to the smallest, they’re anticipating an unequalled opportunity this September. Jay Skinner, Director of Sales at Stratis Corporation, describes PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 as “THE trade show to discover the latest technology and trends in the industry. This show is the finest opportunity to learn numerous ways to improve your company. In particular,” he added, “roll pallets are becoming more important to the package printing industry as more companies incorporate roll converting in their production processes.” International exhibitor Zacares Numeradores of Spain looks on PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 as “a key event for keeping and strengthening our continuous growth in the American market,” said company spokesman Fernando Peña. Moreover, “for the visitors, it means a magnificent opportunity to look for options, make comparisons, and get enough information to make the right decision for the future of their companies.” A new 41-inch sheetfed press capable of printing on up to 48-point board at speeds up to 18,000 sheets/hour will be a highlight of KBA’s 11,500 square foot display. Marketing Director Thomas Goecke said the Rapida 105 will be part of KBA’s display at the big show. “This is one of the most important shows for us,” he added. Thanks to the broad capability of machines like the Rapida 105, KBA North America President and CEO Ralf Sammeck said of the company’s customers, “No longer are they being pegged a packaging printer or commercial printer." Plastic films for packaging will be a key category of product displays at this September’s PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05. Neil Clements, marketing and sales manager at VTS Imperial Plastic Sheet, said his company will debut “a new thin gauge clear polypropylene sheet that will have a clarity that was previously not seen in polypropylene. We will also be introducing a .014 mil clear PP.” VTS’s products are designed for packaging fabricators, consumer package goods companies, and others who want to print, fold, glue, score, cut or weld plastic packaging materials for a quality finished product. These exhibitors are among the hundreds planning new product introductions and live demonstrations at the foremost global exhibition of 2005. Complete information about exhibits, seminars, special events and other features of PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 is available at www.PRINT05.com. Online hotel reservations and online registration are also available now, and visitors are urged to make these arrangements early. Hotel space is expected to be very limited as the show approaches.