Miami Beach, Florida– November 15, 2005 -- The 31st annual Graphics of the Americas, the second largest U.S.-based annual international graphic communications exhibit and conference, today announced their renewed emphasis and importance on wide-format with the return of the Wide-Format Hall. Now in its 2nd year and occupying 61,000 square feet of the Miami Beach Convention Center, the popular attraction will enable buyers to make side-by-side comparisons and purchase wide-format printing equipment, including consumables, cutting, laminating, media and accessories. “Wide-format digital printing can now be found in fine art photography, proofing, signage, mapping, point-of-purchase, as well as short-run labels,” said Chris Price, vice president and general manager of Graphics of the Americas. In addition, new software innovations are helping wide-format find new markets and applications. Graphics of the Americas is proud to continue its tradition of supporting this high-growth market segment.” For 2006, Graphics of the Americas is proud to host the following exhibitors at Wide-Format Hall: Aeromatrix, Context, DGS Digital Graphic Systems, Digital Extras, DuPont, EFI, Encad Colorspan, GCC, Graphics One, HP, Kenan, Lyson, Matan, MicroGeo, Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Nur, PoliSigns, Scitex Vision, Vutek, Wit Color and Xerox with more to be added. The hall is sponsored by Wide-Format Imaging Magazine, a publication of Cygnus Graphics Group, a division of Cygnus Business Media and publishers of Ink Maker, Printing News and Quick Printing magazines. The market for wide-format digital printing continues on a strong growth path and becomes more diverse in terms of applications and products. According to research firm I.T. Strategies, the total revenue for the wide-format graphics market hit $6 billion in 2003, $7.3 billion in 2004 and is expected to grow to $10.1 billion by 2009. Given the ability to print on a variety of substrates, such as glass, metal, carpet and fabric, wide-format digital printing continues to find its way new into new and diverse markets and uses. Wide-format equipment has also grown in its ability to print anywhere from 48 inches to 12 feet, making it one of the largest and most versatile digital formats. In 2006, the Wide-Format Hall will be located near the front entrance in hall D of the Miami Beach Convention Center. The hall alone is expected to bring in thousands active buyers, 46% representing final decision makers and 26% significant purchase influencers with 54% at the show and within 6 months. Overall, Graphics of the Americas, with the addition of Xplor’s Global Document Exchange Conference is expected to draw over 23,000 attendees, over 500 exhibitors, occupying over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space.