With eight months remaining before opening day, approximately 85 percent of the exhibit space at GRAPH EXPO has been sold, positioning this year's show to exceed the size of its 2006 predecessor. But that's only part of the story. This year's show will take place September 9-12 in the South Building of the McCormick Place Complex in Chicago, IL. Complete information is available at: www.graphexpo.com. As of late January, GRAPH EXPO is already tracking ahead in exhibit space sales over last year. This is a significant trend since the 2006 show was the largest GRAPH EXPO since 2000. Based on the increasing momentum, GRAPH EXPO is looking to be a sellout, filling the mammoth South Building of McCormick Place. While the total number of companies reserving space is slightly fewer compared to this same time last year, exhibitors have reserved more space. This growth in booth size clearly demonstrates that companies realize the value of GRAPH EXPO, and are responding with a renewed confidence in the state of the graphic communications industry by taking increased space in GRAPH EXPO, the largest industry exhibition in the Americas this year. Most of the large spaces on the show floor plans have been taken, although the remaining booths are flexible enough to accommodate new exhibitors seeking to commit to the show. "The strong growth of this show, year after year, is dramatic considering the significant challenges this industry has faced in recent years, and reflects the outstanding success exhibitors of all types have achieved at GRAPH EXPO last year," says Ralph J. Nappi, president of GASC. Among the highlights of the show's growth is the continued success of two very popular special features introduced at recent shows. The 2007 Mailing and Fulfillment Pavilion has attracted 38 exhibitors so far, who have booked more than 25,600 square feet of exhibit space, already surpassing the 25,000 sq. ft. sold by this time last year. In the Wide Format Pavilion, close to 14,000 square feet of display area has already been reserved by more than two dozen exhibitors, with other wide format equipment and supply manufacturers taking large spaces elsewhere on the show floor. Space reservations and inquiries continue to come into GASC offices, and the show company says it expects the event to near a sellout over the coming months. GASC's redesigned show website for 2007 will open in mid-March for registration.