Reston, VA – Shortly after the announcement that Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) would be producing a package printing- and converting-oriented show together in conjunction with the huge, quadrennial PRINT event in 2005, reactions were ringing throughout both the printing, and the converting and package printing industries in favor of the new combined event. “We’ve heard lots of positive comments from both printing suppliers and converting equipment manufacturers that a combined effort is an effective, efficient way for both sectors to reach both new markets, and their existing customer base,” noted GASC’s president, Regis J. Delmontagne. He added, “PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 will also enable package printers an unequalled opportunity to see first-hand how to implement fully-digital workflows in their printing process.” The addition of the CONVERTING 05 event will significantly enlarge the already massive PRINT show scheduled for September 9-15, 2005, to an impressive 900,000 square feet and play host to over 900 exhibiting companies. Over 80,000 expected attendees will find converting and package printing equipment and supply displays in the South and North halls in the world-class McCormick Place complex, alongside traditional and digital printing equipment and supply vendors. “We were pleased to see that PRINT is expanding to include a large converting-oriented event. The convergence of the printing and converting markets is advancing, and having these two events in one place at the same time makes good business sense for us. One city, one event is a viable approach, and provides attendees a worldwide shopping center for all their equipment and supply needs. We plan to be a major supplier to that shopping experience,” noted Niels Winther, CEO of Heidelberg, the largest printing and converting equipment exhibitor featured in the event. “From our perspective, we see the merging of our traditional print market with that of our converting market. Now, by having PRINT and CONVERTING together, we can reach out to all of our customers with one show. We can also focus our efforts and exhibit more equipment,” commented Hank Brandtjen III, president of Brandtjen & Kluge. “In the past, our customers were being asked to attend two separate trade shows and, economics being what they are, decisions were being made as to which show to schedule. Now, by having PRINT and CONVERTING together, they can conduct all their purchasing research at one show and make informed decisions for their entire printing operation. You have created a win-win situation!” continued Brandtjen, who offers equipment for both printing and converting sectors. "The luxury of having a trade show for every conceivable niche is a thing of the past. Graphic arts professionals want to get as much information in as very little time as possible. That's why the merger of PRINT and CONVERTING will be successful," noted Yves Rogivue, CEO of MAN Roland Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of print and packaging equipment in the show. Converting and package printing equipment suppliers are already taking advantage of the benefits of the co-located combination, taking significantly larger display space than previously expected in order to handle the additional prospect traffic provided by the influx of attendees. Among the converting and package printing related exhibitors taking space to date are: Blumer, Bobst, Brandtjen & Kluge, Brausse Group, Gluing Machinery & Systems, INX International Ink, Korber Paperlink, Press Solutions/Albo System, Prime UV Systems, Print Craft Supply/Carton Craft Supply Inc., Schiavi, and Sun Chemical. Additionally, new earlybird space rates, and a newly launched Machinery Handling Package pricing program, make the combined event economically attractive to exhibitors, allowing them to display more equipment to attendees at a predetermined price. This kind of pricing structure should help provide some predictability and stability for exhibitors making decisions about what to display and which events to participate in. Converting equipment suppliers and print equipment vendors will find lots of opportunities to show off their latest technological innovations on the huge show floors, but only if they reserve their space early. Even the expansive McCormick Place Convention Center limits the amount of space that can be used for display, so manufacturers and suppliers interested in reserving specific locations should contact the GASC Exhibit Sales Department immediately, as space is available only on a first-come, first served basis. The new CONVERTING 05 event will be provided with strong support from within the industry in the form of educational sessions related to package printing and converting. Converting-oriented publishers, converting professionals, technical and academic experts from a variety of disciplines will provide valuable insights into critical aspects of the converting and package printing sector, allowing attendees to get a solid grounding in the fundamentals of packaging, and also a higher level of sophistication and a more in-depth approach to the various aspects of package printing and converting from top experts. All the major Associations in the converting and package printing sectors are expected to participate in this event as well. The new event will also be supported with an internationally-recognized integrated marketing effort, including all media channels and millions of impressions worldwide, reaching into nearly 70 countries and millions of individuals across the globe. PRINT is produced by GASC every four years, and is the largest most comprehensive tradeshow for the graphic communications and package printing industry in the world the years it is held. More detailed information on these two events can be found at www.print05.com. GASC is owned by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES), and the Printing Industries of America (PIA). GASC is located at 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4367 USA, telephone: 703/264-7200, fax: 703/620-9187, E-Mail: [email protected]. or at www.gasc.org.