June 18, 2007 -- Tradeshow Week's newly published listing of the Top 200 exhibitions in the United States in 2006 reveals GRAPH EXPO as not only one of America's 50 largest exhibitions across all industries, but also as the largest show serving a variety of print-related emerging specialties.

GRAPH EXPO 2006 was held last October at McCormick Place in Chicago and presented 445,944 net square feet of exhibit space.  This ranked the show as number 47 on the Top 200.  ("Net" square feet refers to occupied exhibit space only, not including seminar rooms, registration areas, aisles, foodservice or other functions.)

GRAPH EXPO has consistently ranked among the largest American shows since its debut in 1983.  Along with display space, the number of exhibiting companies has also been growing in recent years, and the show has been able to rack up significant size gains despite an industry trend of fewer shows and some of the largest exhibitors reducing their booth size.

Digital printing, ranging from large-format inkjet output to variable data direct mail production, has accounted for a major part of GRAPH EXPO's growth in recent years.  Beyond the substantial growth in digital equipment, also driving the continuing expansion and diversity of the show are advanced offset presses, mailing equipment, software and hundreds of new product introductions making it even more valuable for commercial printers and the many other key facets of today's graphic communications industry including creative professionals, publication and book printers, in-plants and enterprise printers, sign and display shops, and direct mail/imaging service providers.
   
Ralph J. Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Company, says "this performance reflects the show's growing inclusiveness, as it delivers good value for both exhibitors and visitors across the entire range of specialties that make up graphic communications today".

Nappi says it makes sense for visitors to target the largest and most complete trade show available.  "A label printing specialist, for instance, can come to GRAPH EXPO and see everything that is new and important in that segment, along with hundreds of other displays of technologies and products that can also help improve productivity and marketing opportunities," he notes.

GRAPH EXPO 2007 will take place September 9-12 at McCormick Place.  It is expected to fill more than 450,000 net square feet and attract tens of thousands of industry professionals.  In addition to exhibits, the event offers an extensive educational program and a variety of special events for visitors.

Complete information and online registration are available online at: www.graphexpo.com.