America's premier producer of tradeshows for the commercial, package printing and converting industry and the top American trade association representing the flexographic printing industry have announced an arrangement to work together to produce a newly formed tradeshow focused on the package printing and converting sectors beginning in 2007. The biennial event, dubbed PackPrintSM is to be held alongside GRAPH EXPO 2007, September 9 – 12, in McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. “As the differences between commercial printing and package printing become less distinct, manufacturers and printers alike are seeking a single event that allows them to review equipment and supplies for both disciplines in one place. We were aware of this phenomenon prior to launching the converting initiative at PRINT 05 & CONVERTINGSM 05, and will carry this idea over in to creating this new co-located event,” noted Regis J. Delmontagne, President of Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC). “We feel that FTA will provide unique strengths and market insights that, coupled with our expertise in producing top-tier events, will result in a high quality event for attendees and exhibitors alike,” he continued, “and we're very pleased to be working with them under this arrangement.” “This exciting new trade show alliance will undoubtedly provide a great deal of additional value to companies wishing to take advantage of broader opportunities within the global printing & packaging industry. For some time now, FTA's membership has been looking for consolidation within the trade show environment in order to create more efficient, cost-effective marketing & buying opportunities,” stated Mark Cisternino, FTA President. “GASC, through GRAPH EXPO & PRINT, has a long-standing, solid reputation for bringing significant value to the commercial side of the printing business. It makes perfect sense to expand this event through a cooperative venture with FTA to include products and services within the flexographic converting marketplace.” The new event will be held in the North Hall of McCormick Place, just across the concourse from GRAPH EXPO. All registrants will gain access to both events with one badge, adding value for attendees of both shows. GASC is jointly 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). This alliance with Flexographic Technical Association means that even more of the surplus revenue from the event will be returned to the industry through its trade associations, further strengthening the industry through their continued educational, philanthropic and other efforts. FTA has teamed with GASC in jointly producing this event because they share the belief that there is benefit to all involved, exhibitors, and attendees, in mirroring the industry convergence between commercial and package printing. As commercial printers see the benefits of offering package printing to their customers, and package printers focus on print quality as a way of advancing their customer's marketing efforts, each will need the support and expertise of the other in order to flourish. Equipment manufacturers have taken note of this convergence phenomenon as well, as many are already offering equipment and supplies suitable for use on commercial print jobs and on package printing projects as well. This co-located event will offer them an unequalled opportunity to reach both their traditional customers and a wider audience that includes potential buyers that they may not have considered before, all in one place. As further impetus for creating this event, GASC points to the countless calls, e-mails and comments they've received in the last 18 months, from both manufacturers and attendees, requesting that the industry offer a high-quality, relevant, focused and well-managed trade event that covers commercial, package printing and converting in one event. The demand for such an event is clearly there, and GASC and FTA have stepped forward with a tradeshow to meet that demand. More details about the new event will be announced at a press conference at the upcoming PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05, at McCormick Place in Chicago. More information about that event can be found at www.PRINT05.com.