RESTON, VA – Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) today announced that they have sold almost all available floor space in the show hall to exhibitors for its upcoming GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2004, October 10-13, 2004 held in Chicago’s McCormick Place South. Occupied space now totals nearly 410,000 square feet in the South hall of the vast Chicago venue. Additional space had been added to the floor plan in March to accommodate an influx of requests for space for this thriving industry event. Currently, the “sold space” total is over and above the sold levels at this time for last year’s event by more than 10%, making it the largest such event in over three years. Only a small handful of 10’ x 10’ spaces remain near the perimeter of the hall. “Exhibitors in our industry have realized that GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO is their best marketing opportunity for domestic sales in 2004, and by securing significant space in which to participate in the event, they have shown us that enthusiastically,” noted Regis J. Delmontagne, president of GASC, producers of this huge industry gathering. “We have quite a few first time exhibitors, and many returning exhibitors who have seen the value in this opportunity and are taking advantage of it,” noted Delmontagne. The increased interest in the event can likely be attributed to a number of factors. Sales in the printing industry have risen over the last several quarters, and the economic outlook for the industry is more optimistic. The current 50% bonus depreciation legislation on capital purchases is spurring some interest in large equipment investment as well. That program is only valid on equipment in place and running by December 31, 2004, so the show is an opportunity to take advantage of those savings. New technology introductions like some of the JDF compliant products and other workflow related introductions ARE also raising interest in the event, as vendors see an opportunity to highlight some products that offer increased efficiency and the potential for increased profitability for attendees. The Mailing & Fulfillment Center has been expanded to double its previous size in 2003, offering exhibitors space to highlight their newest and most popular equipment. The Wide Format Pavilion has been expanded as well, to nearly double its size in 2003, allowing for a NEW ON-THE-SHOW-FLOOR wide Format Theater, an expanded Innovation Gallery, more exhibit space, and more displays than ever before. As more manufacturing and supply companies in the graphic communications industry grasp the numerical advantage that tradeshows provide, floor space will continue to be at a premium. Space at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO, like all GASC events, is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so securing space early is critical to selecting a location that fits well with an exhibitor’s marketing plan. This was particularly true of GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO this year, and will especially be true at the upcoming PRINT 05 & CONVERTINGSM 05 event in September, 2005. Exhibitors large and small have realized that the best place to find enthusiastic purchasers and informed, well-qualified leads for their sales forces is to exhibit in tradeshows. According to a 2003 TrendWatch© Graphic Arts industry study, 21% of graphic communications professionals use tradeshows as the preferred place to go to gather information on equipment, gather competitive intelligence, and make buying decisions that affect the health and well-being of their businesses. That translates into a large number of buyers at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO that are in a position to discuss solutions with exhibitors, gather the information they need, and make a purchasing decision based on that information. GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO has in the past been a reliable indicator of the overall economic health of the graphic communications industry. That being the case this year, based on the health of GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO, graphic communications businesses can look forward to a very good year. GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO is produced by GASC annually, and is the largest most comprehensive tradeshow for the graphic communications industry in the Americas. More detailed information on this event can be found at www.graphexpo.com.