Charlotte, NC - The Graphic Arts Show Company will offer a new exhibit opportunity to equipment manufacturers and service providers in the flexo printing community, allowing affordable access to exhibit space at GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW® 2003, held March 13 - 15 at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC. "We feel the market is ready to bridge the technology and service gap between traditional and digital offset printing and flexographic printing communities, and felt that this would be an ideal way to show both communities the advantages the other may have to offer them," noted Regis J. Delmontagne, president of Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), the show's producer. "Commercial offset, both web and sheetfed shops, can benefit from expanding their service offering; flexo technology has come a long way in the last few years in terms of speed, quality, and run length flexibility, to the point where the two technologies can coexist in the same workflow environment. Flexographers face similar business challenges to those commercial offset printers were facing several years ago, so there is much to learn that is beneficial to both groups," he said. FLEXOTEK ShowcaseSM, the new exhibit opportunity, offers flexo printers and equipment suppliers a chance to help bridge that perceived gap. Located in a prominent position on the show floor at GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW, the FLEXOTEK Showcase will offer new exhibitors a fully furnished 6' x 8' exhibit space, ideal for new exhibitors to gain a presence at the show without a huge investment in time, staff or funds. Space will include carpeting, one 4' draped table for literature or small sample demonstrations, one chair, basic electrical service and a wastebasket, all included for a fixed price of only $900. These special exhibits will allow flexo-oriented businesses an opportunity to enter the offset marketplace easily and inexpensively, to help them assess the sales opportunities the offset community has to offer them. The special exhibits are grouped together on the show floor, offering show attendees a convenient way to see a representative sample of what the flexo community offers. Exhibitors who offer flexo-oriented products already taking exhibit space on the floor can receive one of these Showcase exhibits at no charge. Taking place March 13 - 15, 2003 at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW is held every two years, and offers buyers and sellers of prepress, printing, publishing, post-press and converting equipment and software the opportunity to come together, investigate and explore the latest technology, assess the latest industry trends, and learn the newest theories and techniques to increase efficiency and profitability. Close to 10,000 visitors attend the biennial event, covering nearly 60,000 square feet of exhibit space with over 225 exhibiting companies. Seminar programs provided by Printing Industries of the Carolinas (PICA) offer attendees the chance to learn new skills, upgrade their knowledge of the industry and interact with their peers and colleagues. More information about GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW can be found by visiting www.charlotteshow.com