June 24, 2004 -- Every fourth year, America’s premier printing, publishing and converting trade show, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO , takes on even greater importance. This is one of those years, in which the big Chicago event serves as the U.S. debut venue for major new technologies and products introduced at the quadrennial drupa exhibition in Germany. GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2004 takes place October 10-13, 2004, at McCormick Place in Chicago. About 40,000 industry professionals are expected to attend, and more than 500 companies will exhibit. The show’s producer, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC ), has expanded exhibit space to accommodate demand. Part of the excitement surrounding the 2004 show stems from its chronological conjunction with drupa, which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany in May and which showcased a large number of emerging technologies. Traditionally, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO held in a drupa year has been where customers can see market-ready products developed from those new technologies. “Having been to every drupa and GRAPH EXPO since 1968, the U.S. event following the international event is always better in terms of real products for real printers,” says Frank Romano, Fawcett Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Print Media. “There will be more new equipment and systems at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO than at the German exhibition,” Romano says, “and more products that printers can apply right now to expand existing markets or create new ones.” “New automated offset presses, more efficient CTP systems, new DI presses, and a host of workflow solutions that applied JDF characterized the show in Germany - with only some items that were really “new.” Look for all technology that shows new applications for those technologies, plus new digital color printers and other surprises at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO,” noted Romano. GASC President Regis J. Delmontagne noted that although the United States is the world’s largest and most sophisticated graphic communications marketplace, American executives do not typically travel to Germany in large numbers for that event. “Far-sighted managers know they can depend on GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO to show them everything they need to see,” he explains. “At GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO the emphasis has always been on live demonstrations or working, purchase-ready equipment, products the show visitor can order, install and put to work now.” This year’s show will feature special display areas devoted to Wide Format Imaging and Mailing & Fulfillment, as well as a complete educational program highlighted by the full-day EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK conference on Saturday, October 9.