More than 20 formal international visitor delegations to this September’s PRINT 05 & CONVERTINGSM 05 show were being organized as of early summer, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) announced. Many of these international delegations are being sponsored by the commercial offices of U.S. embassies and consulates.  Leading printers’ organizations in several nations are also assembling groups to visit the world’s leading international event of the year. PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 takes place September 9-15 at the McCormick Place Complex in Chicago.   Visitors are expected from more than 75 nations. The list of current international visitor delegations is headed by five groups of more than 100 people each, representing China, India, Russia, Brazil and Mexico.  Other large groups are coming from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Kuwait, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Ukraine. “Organized delegations can offer visitors attractive airfares and other advantages, as well as the benefit of traveling with peers,” notes GASC President Regis J. Delmontagne.  “We’re pleased to welcome groups like these, and will provide extensive assistance and support while they are with us at the show.” Delmontagne also noted that total international attendance at PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 is significant, and that participants in formal delegations combined with individual international visitors taking advantage of the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Buyer Program provide exhibitors a significant international buying pool. The PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 website provides a web link to a list of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, through which visitors can enroll in the program. As a program participant, visitors can take advantage of: •Friendly, local language support on-site •Free assistance with travel and hotel bookings •Free assistance finding U.S. exhibitors and companies before and during the show •Free assistance with logistics at the show •Free Matchmaking System for connecting international commerce opportunities in the International Business Center •Free assistance with visa applications where available. GASC has organized a series of International Day programs at PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05, to welcome delegations from all regions of the world, showcase their printing industries, and offer a networking opportunity between them and American printers and suppliers.  Leading off this schedule will be a special International Days Conference and Award Ceremony on the show’s opening day, honoring the Presidents of major industry associations worldwide.  The organization leaders will receive Presidential PRINT Awards.       The Presidential PRINT Awards recognize the outstanding leadership of association presidents in creating the future of print in their respective countries and worldwide. PRINT & CONVERTING is produced by GASC every four years, and will be held in McCormick Place in 2005. In addition to PRINT & CONVERTING, GASC manages the leading annual industry show serving the North American commercial printing, publishing and converting market, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO. GASC also produces the annual GUTENBERG & DIGITAL OUTLOOK show, and the annual VUE/POINT Conference.