February 5, 2004 – Miami Beach, Florida – Printing Association of Florida (PAF), organizer of the 29th annual Graphics of the Americas 2004 tradeshow (Jan. 23-25) and inaugural TrendVision Conference (Jan 22-23) held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, reports that both events were successes with combined attendance of over 20,000 and close to 1400 exhibits. In addition to positive attendance by key decision makers encompassing printers, converters, creators, buyers, prepress and production professionals, GOA and TrendVision drew positive feedback from exhibitors and speakers, as well. The second largest graphic arts and converting show in America, and the very first of its kind every year; GOA draws two vital markets, North America (60% of attendees) and Latin America (40% of attendees), to see the newest and most influential products in the printing industry. According to Chris Price, Vice President and General Manager for Graphics of the Americas, “Our multi-continental niche, timing, location, and most of all, high quality vendor and speaker offerings, has allowed us to sustain levels of attendance that have become an anomaly for tradeshows. Exhibitors are telling us that attendees were executive decision makers and came to do business.” Price also said that Graphics of the Americas 2005, which will mark the show’s 30th anniversary, will be held from February 4-6, 2005 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Shannan Snell of Xante was one of the first exhibitors to report positive results, saying, “It was a great show, and we actually doubled our leads from last year.” Price attributes much of this year’s success to a potential economic and investment uptick, pre-DRUPA excitement, and PAF and GOA’s work to structure the exhibits and conferences based on attendee and exhibitor surveys. Creo, Heidelberg, Xerox, Adobe, Agfa and Man Roland were among some of the other well-known industry exhibitors available to share their best products and advice with attendees. Graphics of the Americas 2004 was preceded by the all-new TrendVision Conference held January 22-23. TrendVision is a high-powered, strategic directions conference for graphic communications professionals (printers, publishers, and creatives) that focuses on a changing graphic communications industry and key future trends. Industry extraordinaire Frank Romano led this two-day event, which incorporated seminars and educational sessions with high profile experts such as CAP Ventures’ Charlie Corr, TrendWatch’s Vince Naselli and Richard Romano, and John Zarwan. New Educational Exhibit Pavilions Based on Attendee Feedback Design City, Mailing Systems Zone, Package Printing and Converting Pavilion, and Printers’ Showcase were some of the exhibit areas engineered to serve attendees’ specific interests. Graphic Arts Leaders of the Americas GALA Jerry Williamson, CEO of Williamson Printing of Dallas, and Ernesto Salviat Wetzig, CEO of Egraf S.A. Chile, were this year’s GALA award winners. The two gentlemen were honored at the annual GALA fete, held this year in the Starlight Ballroom at the Wyndham Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Hundreds of industry notables were present for this elegant occasion. The annual GALA award is given to leaders in the industry for their vision, creativity, and leadership, and for their lifetime achievements and humanitarian contributions in the advancement and development of the Graphic Arts Industry. Michael Makin, CEO, Printing Industries of America (PIA), and Jose Luis Zamora Contreras, CEO of Procoel, served as Masters of Ceremonies. The GALA awards were presented by, David Ashe, B2B Portales, Inc. and Terry McCoy, Graphic Arts Monthly. Premier sponsors of the GALA event included: United States Postal Service; Sun Chemical; Artes Graficas; Graphic Arts Monthly; Conversion Magazine; Adobe; Intermarket Corporation; and Conlatingraf.