Reston, VA – Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) announced today that it will offer companies exhibiting in its upcoming GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO, October 10 – 13, 2004 at McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL, a special Machinery Material Handling Package. This new offer allows exhibitors to ship unlimited machinery to the premiere event for the graphic communications industry in the U.S. for a flat rate, based on the square footage of their exhibit space purchased. “Exhibitors and Show Management alike have recognized that the cost of exhibiting has been rising. We felt that in order to provide top-level customer service for our exhibitors, we needed to extend to them a solution that was sensible for all concerned,” noted Regis J. Delmontagne, president of GASC. “We feel this measure will allow exhibitors the assurance of knowing what their costs for material handling will be prior to arriving in Chicago, and allow them the flexibility to be able to plan their exhibits based on market demand, not just shipping costs,” he noted. For those that opt to take advantage of the package, the rate of $4.50 per square foot of exhibit space will be added to the current space rate of $28.00 per square foot and includes machinery handling from dock to dock for all machinery to be displayed at the event, regardless of total weight, not including paper, display materials and floor coverings. Studies by a number of national tradeshow-oriented trade publications have shown that exhibitors’ top concern is the cost of shipping and labor, and the package offered by GASC is the first step in controlling those costs on behalf of exhibitors. The deadline for signing up for this special package offer is August 2, 2004. For more information and details on the requirements for exhibiting or enrolling in the Machinery Material Handling Package Plan, contact the GASC Sales Department, 703-264-7200.