Reston, VA – Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), producers of PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05, announced today that it has agreed to a sponsorship arrangement with the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Assn. (FPPA). Several other industry associations and allied groups are expected to be announced as sponsors within the coming weeks. “For associations like FPPA to recognize our event’s value to their members by officially supporting us is an important message for the industry to hear. We’re pleased to be working with them on this event. These arrangements serve to confirm our assertion that this event is representative of the needs of the industry as a whole. Support like this shows that our events continue to be relevant to the commercial, package printing and converting industries,” noted Regis J. Delmontagne, President of GASC, the event’s organizer. “FPPA is a proud co-sponsor of PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05,” said FPPA Executive Director Fred Stringfellow. “Our members attend this event because they can learn about all types of printing, including flexo, in one professionally managed venue. They can see the latest technologies in a wide range of disciplines and get a lot of good information. It’s really very relevant to their business’ success.” “The example set by the recent drupa event locating package printing equipment alongside commercial printing and converting equipment further demonstrates the convergence of the interests and technology involved in commercial, package printing and converting and will be a key focal point at the upcoming PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 event. The support of package printing-related trade groups further strengthens the case for a combined, broadscope event accurately meeting the needs of the marketplace,” noted Delmontagne. PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 will be the largest event in 2005 for the commercial, package printing and converting industries. The event, encompassing nearly 900,000 square feet, and hosting 80,000 attendees interacting with over 900 exhibitors will span 7 days in the expansive McCormick Place Complex, Chicago, IL. The event will provide commercial and package printers, converters and service providers in the graphic communications industry a unique opportunity to see the latest prepress, printing, converting and related equipment together under one roof in the US. PRINT is produced by GASC every four years, and will be next held in McCormick Place in 2005. In addition to PRINT & CONVERTING, GASC manages the leading annual industry show serving the American graphic communications, converting and package printing market, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO. GASC also produces the annual GUTENBERGSM & DIGITAL OUTLOOKSM show, GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW biannually, and the annual VUE/POINT Conference. GASC is 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). GASC is located at 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4367 USA, telephone: 703/264-7200, fax: 703/620-9187, E-Mail: [email protected]. For additional information, visit www.gasc.org.