September 15, 2003 -- From cole slaw to curmudgeons, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) is stepping up efforts to make sure everyone who comes to GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003 finds exactly what he or she wants. Cole slaw-seekers can check out three special brunch presentations at which noted industry authorities will discourse on key trends and opportunities. If curmudgeons are the quarry, four of the industry’s best—veteran observers not shy about sharing their opinions—will come together for a reprise of one of last year’s most popular special events. These are just a few of the highlights of this year’s show, which takes place September 28-October 1 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Details and online registration are available at www.graphexpo.com. In the 20 years since GASC first presented GRAPH EXPO, the show has developed into the main industry gathering of each year. Association functions, committee meetings, awards banquets and similar events abound on the schedule, but an even greater number of special events are open to all show attendees, some free of charge. Among the highlights: -- EXECUTIVE OULOOK 2003, the annual full-day technology and business forecasting conference held the day before the show—this year, September 27. Keynote speaker at the EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK luncheon will be Bruce James, the U.S. Public Printer and head of the Government Printing Office (GPO). After a full schedule of both general and breakout sessions, the conference will conclude with announcement of this year’s “Must See Ems,” the most important and attention-worthy exhibits and products at the show. -- International Days, each featuring a business conference and social gathering tailored for attendees from a specific key region of the world. “Canada Day” is Monday, September 29 and “Latin America Day” is Tuesday September 30. -- Free General Sessions will be held Monday through Wednesday at 8:15 AM. Monday, a high level panel will discuss “The State of the Printing Industry;” Tuesday’s session will feature “The Return of the Printing Industry Curmudgeons,” with Rochester Institute of Technology Prof. Frank Romano moderating a panel including Bill Lamparter of PrintCom, Ray Prince of GATF, M. Richard Vinocur of Footprints and a “mystery curmudgeon.” Wednesday’s general session presents Prof. Romano discussing “New Value-Added Business Opportunities.” -- Brunch sessions, including a meal and an expert presentation. On Sunday, NAPL’s Howie Fenton will discuss “Workflow Trends You Can Use.” Monday will bring two brunch sessions: a “PDF Update” with Julie Shaffer of GATF and “The Holistic Printer: Gorelick Unleashed,” with Dick Gorelick of the Graphic Arts Sales Foundation. Tuesday’s fourth brunch session will focus on “Ten Critical Trends” with Prof. Frank Romano. - Exhibitor presentations. Eight special, hour-long presentations by exhibitors on key technology and product developments will be free for all attendees, with space limited. - Mailing & Fulfillment Center Theater – Twelve 45-minute FREE seminar sessions on topics relevant to starting and running successful mailing and fulfillment operations in their plant – right on the show floor, close to the actual equipment and processes being highlighted in the sessions. -- Collectible poster signing. To enhance the Wide Format Pavilion, GASC is staging a gallery showcase of particularly creative and exciting applications of large format inkjet output. Noted automotive artist Hugo Prado will be on hand in the Pavilion to sign collection-quality poster reproductions of his painting, The Last Corvette Dale Raced. The 22” x 28” poster reproduces a painting Prado created of a Corvette driven by the late Dale Earnhardt. Prado will be signing posters on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to noon and from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. In addition to all of these special events, of course, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003 will offer some 550 company exhibits filling about 370,000 square feet of display space, the largest show in the Americas this year.