Reston, VA - Demonstrating the graphic communications industry's resiliency, optimism, and intent to invest in the future, show visitors turned out in force for GRAPH EXPO 15 and co-located CPP EXPO, that took place September 13-16, 2015 in Chicago's McCormick Place.  Current industry indicators signaling an uptick in the economy, together with exciting new and emerging marketplace opportunities, set the stage for progressive print professionals who came from across 12 key industry segments to convene in Chicago with keen interest-and purchasing power-to see and explore the latest technologies and offerings.

"The show's success, measured by the leads and orders, reinforced the value and significance it continues to hold for our entire industry and its leaders," said Ralph Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC). "In fact," he continued, "the key to GRAPH EXPO's enduring relevancy and strength is based on representing not just one finite niche but the entirety of our industry, as evidenced by our offerings for, and continuing participation from among 12 industry segments."

Well satisfied attendees, exhibitors, and co-location partners declared plentiful new leads and sales during the event, and proclaimed the show a success. Among their comments were:

"Traffic has been phenomenal!" - Beth Ann Kilberg-Walsh, VP of Marketing Communications and Customer Engagement, Programs, Graphic Communications Business Group, Xerox

"We thought last year was record-breaking; we've been amazed that we're even busier this year. The traffic has been non-stop." - Annette McCrary, Director of Strategic Marketing Programs, Ricoh Americas

"GRAPH EXPO 15 has been a tremendous success for AccuZIP!" - Kristen McKiernan, President of AccuZIP

"GRAPH EXPO 15 was an undeniable success... KBA has already committed to attend next year's GRAPH EXPO 16."  - Mark Hischar, President and CEO, KBA North America

"The show was a great success for Burgess Industries.  We will close $400 to $500K-that's a pretty solid ROI for a 10 x 10 booth at GRAPH EXPO!" - D.J. Burgess, President/CEO, Burgess Industries Inc.

"...our booth traffic has been really heavy." - Kay Du Fernandez, VP of Strategic Business Development, Konica Minolta

"Again this year the quality and quantity of attendees has been great!" - Michael Spiel, Co-owner, Spiel Associates

"Goss International made two high-profile sales. There's always an excitement in a show environment, and GRAPH EXPO continues to be a very strong show." - Michael D'Angelo, Managing Director, Americas, Goss

"It's been a busy show and we sold a lot of product." - Don Dubuque, Director of Marketing, Standard Finishing

"...we had people competing to buy the units in the booth..." - Robert Ross, President and CEO, Xante

"It was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with current and future customers.  There was terrific floor traffic at our booth..." -David J. Murphy, WW Director of Marketing & Business Development, HP

"GRAPH EXPO was a perfect platform for Infigo Software Limited to further the amazing success it is having in North America through additional leads that were gathered." - Douglas Gibson, Managing Director, Infigo Software Limited

"I can't recall a show where we actually sold as many units as we did not only during the show, but immediately following GRAPH EXPO!" - Doug Houser, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Fastbind

"For us, this has been a fantastic show!" - Jack Noonan, Marketing Coordinator, MGI

"This year's GRAPH EXPO was the best ever in Avanti's history of attending the show!" - Joanne Gore, Director, Marketing, Avanti

"The booth was packed each day..."- Fabian Prudhomme, VP, Enfocus

"It's been an outstanding show for us." - Catherine Monson, CEO, FastSigns

"Thank you again for such a great event!  You have managed to put together a true win-win for all involved!" - Patricia S. Cowan, President, Rainmaker Sales Support

"Count AMS in for GRAPH EXPO 16 in Orlando!" - Steve Metcalf, President and CEO, AMS

"This was my first GRAPH EXPO-and most definitely worth the travel from across the pond!" - Matthew Parker, "Champion of Print"

Read on for the complete testimonials of those excerpted above-from just some of the striking "Who's-Who" roster of top industry suppliers who came to demonstrate their latest and most advanced technologies and services, many making their U.S. debut at GRAPH EXPO 15-plus many more enthusiastic declarations from those in attendance affirming the success of the show.

"Traffic has been phenomenal! There has been a waiting line to see our new iGen 5 Press and Rialto 900 Inkjet Press - our MUST SEE 'EMS award winners. As our theme, 'Let the Work Flow,' people have been flowing in." - Beth Ann Kilberg-Walsh, Vice President, Marketing Communications and Customer Engagement Programs, Graphic, Communications Business Group, Xerox

"This show has been fabulous! We thought last year was record-breaking; we've been amazed that we're even busier this year. The traffic has been non-stop." - Annette McCrary, Director of Strategic Marketing Programs, Ricoh Americas

"GRAPH EXPO 15 has been a tremendous success for AccuZIP!  We were able to execute our vision of a high impact booth showcasing several new products and technologies to achieve a level of engagement that far exceeded our expectations." - Kristen McKiernan, President, AccuZIP

"GRAPH EXPO 15 was an undeniable success. Following the annual conference of the International Newspaper Group (ING) in Chicago held the day before GRAPH EXPO began, a number of large, well-known newspaper publishers met with KBA web offset executives to discuss the firm's newspaper press models as well as its web service retrofit/rebuild programs. KBA has already committed to attend next year's GRAPH EXPO 16."  - Mark Hischar, President and CEO, KBA North America

"We were very excited to be here and our booth traffic was really heavy. This is a great opportunity for our sales and our marketing teams to really focus on the brand, as well as bringing in customers and prospects to close deals; this is a great venue for that. Konica Minolta got a commitment from Martin One Source, a Champaign, IL-based commercial printer, for a bizhub PRESS 2250P on Monday. This will be the second one the client has purchased. The first was delivered yesterday." - Kay Du Fernandez, VP of Strategic Business Development, Konica Minolta

"We've been in business for 50 years and always exhibit at GRAPH EXPO. Again this year the quality and quantity of attendees has been great!" - Michael Spiel, Co-owner, Spiel Associates

"Goss International made two high-profile sales-a Goss Magnum Compact press to Pflugerville, TX's Community Impact Newspaper, and a 16-page, five-unit Goss Sunday2000 press to Kansas City, MO's Henry Wurst Inc.  GRAPH EXPO is a great venue for meeting the customers we want to meet. There's always an excitement in a show environment, and GRAPH EXPO continues to be a very strong show." - Michael D'Angelo, Managing Director, Americas, Goss

"It's been a busy show and we sold a lot of product. It's been a busy booth the whole show, and it looks like we'll exceed our sales targets at the show. The customers seem to be happy, and the right customers are here." - Don Dubuque, Director of Marketing, Standard Finishing

"We're generating higher-quality leads.' Not only that, on the first day, we had people competing to buy the units in the booth. They'd say, 'I want to carry this one out the door.'" - Robert Ross, President and CEO, Xante

"It was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with current and future customers.  There was terrific floor traffic at our booth and we were able to engage in high quality conversations with print service providers who are planning for their future ahead of drupa." - David J. Murphy, WW Director of Marketing & Business Development, HP

"GRAPH EXPO was a perfect platform for Infigo Software Limited to further the amazing success it's having in North America. The show was well represented with great quality business; we were able to secure some great business at the show and through some additional leads that were gathered. The show was well organized and managed. Infigo will participate in the next GRAPH EXPO." - Douglas Gibson, Managing Director, Infigo Software Limited

"We were very happy with the quality and overall traffic by our booth. We found the customers to be well qualified and very interested in our bookbinding and case making solutions. I can't recall a show where we actually sold as many units as we did not only during the show, but immediately following GRAPH EXPO!  While polling the customers on what they found interesting many commented on the quality of the information supplied by the Printerverse (I know this sounds like a plug...but it is very true). We have attended shows in Orlando in the past and look forward to being at GRAPH EXPO 16 at the Orlando Convention Center! It really is a very good location and a great place for your show to move to for a year." - Doug Houser, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Fastbind

"GRAPH EXPO 15 has been a good one for MGI, garnering the company a MUST SEE 'EMS Award in the Postpress and In-Line Finishing category for the iFOIL T. For us, this has been a fantastic show!" - Jack Noonan, Marketing Coordinator, MGI

"This year's GRAPH EXPO was the best ever in Avanti's history of attending the show! We experienced unprecedented booth traffic, were awarded two MUST SEE 'EMS, benefited from great write ups in the Show Dailies, and participated in several engaging panels in the Printerverse. We can't wait to see what Orlando has in store for us in 2016!" - Joanne Gore, Director-Marketing, Avanti

"GRAPH EXPO was an excellent venue for the Enfocus team to showcase its latest version 13 product families. The booth was packed each day with attendees eager to see the latest Switch 13 product features, which gives customers even more tools for flow creation, remote communication, and improved speed. Our customers also enjoyed a special Happy Hour event with our partner, CHILI Publish, each day before show close." - Fabian Prudhomme, VP, Enfocus

"We've been very, very pleased. We're here exhibiting for our co-brand franchise opportunities, and literally we had people come straight here because they wanted to talk with us about co-branding with Fast Signs. It's been an outstanding show for us." - Catherine Monson, CEO, FastSigns

"Thank you again for such a great event!  GRAPH EXPO continues to be a very important show for Rainmaker.  Every year we meet decision makers that are serious about growing and expanding their businesses. The exhibitors that come always have the latest technologies, and the seminars keep everyone up to date on the hot trends of the industry for a one-two punch that delivers such progressive attendees.  You have managed to put together a true win-win for all involved! We look forward to Orlando!" - Patricia S. Cowan, President, Rainmaker Sales Support

"We were especially excited by the great turnout at our seminar detailing the benefits that LED UV brings to printers and packagers.  Many attendees requested information about that seminar for colleagues that were unable to attend.  In response, we are putting together a webinar on the same subject which will air next month.  Count AMS in for GRAPH EXPO 16 in Orlando!" - Steve Metcalf, President and CEO, AMS

Setting an enthusiastic tone for show week was the turnout for the EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK Conference, held on Sunday, September 13, opening day of the show.  Focused on "The Essential Element for Focused Growth," satisfied EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK participants conveyed their favorable assessments of the program.

"Being my first time at EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK, I walked away with many positives and look forward to next year's show and EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK 2016"; "Overall very good-excellent speakers"; and, "Very good meeting."

Positive feedback from other EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK attendees continued with remarks including: "Well run and staffed, speakers on point, and message well delivered"; "The experience of having the OUTLOOK on Sunday is truly positive"; "Good as always"; and, "See you in 2016!"

When GRAPH EXPO 15 and CPP EXPO officially kicked off at noon on Sunday, September 13 and throughout each day of the exhibition, exhibitors welcomed throngs of enthusiastic attendees to the show floor.

By the time the final closing announcement was made, vendors had been able to spend four days interacting with attendees from every key segment of the graphic communications industry, clearly gratified over the value and results of their time spent at the industry event of the year.

Highly trafficked show floor pavilions and specialty features across the show floor signaled success as well.

"Mohawk was pleased to spearhead the new 'Materials Matter' show floor feature at GRAPH EXPO 15.  Bringing several substrate manufacturers together, the pavilion was designed to demonstrate the powerful role that paper and non-paper substrates play in every print project, while improving visibility and traffic for like-minded manufacturers on the show floor. It served as a one-stop resource center for attendees of GRAPH EXPO." - Bart Robinson, Senior Vice President-Marketing, Mohawk

"It was our first time exhibiting at GRAPH EXPO and it was a great idea! The new 'Materials Matter' section centralized substrate suppliers, and the foot traffic was substantial and worthwhile.  We're looking forward to next year!" - Heath A. Frye, Marketing Manager- Specialty Papers Business, Glatfelter

"The Printerverse at GRAPH EXPO was jam-packed with educational panels and special events presented with our amazing exhibitor Alliance Partners, and resulted in attracting the largest audience to date in the booth and at home through our Livestream broadcasts and social media. I cannot thank the show enough for all they do to help the print community learn and thrive!" - Deborah Corn, Principal, PrintMediaCentr

Upbeat reactions about the show from co-located event organizers were equally glowing.

"The 'Xplor at GRAPH EXPO Breakfast' was once again a success. When registration, limited to 200, reached capacity the week prior to the event 25 additional seats were added due to the demand!" - Skip Henk, EDP, President and CEO, Xplor

"This was my first GRAPH EXPO-and most definitely worth the travel from across the pond!  I was delighted at the positive response to the 'How To Stop Buyers Choosing On Price' workshop which had a good uptake of bookings as soon as the event was announced. The show also provided me with tremendous networking, numerous opportunities to discuss business proposals, and inspiration with the education program and important equipment and software launches that were taking place." - Matthew Parker, "Champion of Print"

"GRAPH EXPO is always a great venue for Two Sides given the number of exhibitors and attendees that value the social and environmental benefits of print and paper.  So, our message is well received.  This year we met a lot of new potential Two Sides member companies and our annual seminar co-location at GRAPH EXPO was a success.  We plan to do it all over again next year!" - Phil Riebel, President, Two Sides North America

"GRAPH EXPO offers an invaluable platform for RSA to announce and launch our new products and releases to a captive and enthusiastic audience. There is no other venue that offers the equivalent opportunity for us to spend quality time with our partners, customers, and prospects. GASC has been a commensurate partner, recognizing the significance of the in-plant segment and supporting the creation and delivery of in-plant programming, activities and events that drive in-plant show attendance." - Elisha Kasinskas, Marketing Director, Rochester Software Associates

No less enthusiastic, attendees who came to the show from every key industry segment with shopping lists in hand and to participate in the continuous networking and learning opportunities, wholeheartedly confirmed their time was well spent and highly productive.

"As a graphic design consultant, my fourth time attending was informative and educational with a focus on future technology that I always benefit from. I especially appreciate how organized the show is and the comprehensive knowledge that I gain is profitable for my business." - Tamara DeModica, TEC Communications Consulting, Woodstock IL

"We're looking for a solution for Web-to-print and possibly management software for our print shop if we can find something integrated together. The reason we come to GRAPH EXPO is that it gives us a chance to see lots of things in one place." - Michael Hooper, Hooper Printing, Lowell, MA

"We come to the show because we have a wish list of items that we think would really help to make us more efficient and make life easier for our employees. There are a number of things we are looking for." - Richard Koffman, Print Tekk Printing and Mailing, Kansas City, KS

"I spent three days at GRAPH EXPO looking at many vendors' offerings. The high level contacts you make are not something you get unless you go to a show like this. Have a problem? The people who can make things happen are there for you to meet.  Want a new solution and be able to compare in one place? Yes you can do that.  Networking you bet, old and new friends." - John Henry, Mitchell's Speedway Press, Oswego, NY

"This was my sixth GRAPH EXPO and my fourth as an in-plant manager. All the booths I visited were busy, even on Sunday.  I always find the show energizing; there is always some new technology, process, or application that makes me go WOW, that's cool." - Dennis Matl, Production Supervisor, American Nuclear Society

Rounding out the GRAPH EXPO 15 post-show reporting, GASC is committed to capturing and conveying only the truest and most accurate attendee participation data-information on actual verified attendees (each counted only once for their entire time at the show).  The verified attendance report for GRAPH EXPO 15 and co-located CPP EXPO will be available within the next several weeks.

Next up for the industry is GRAPH EXPO 16 set to take place September 25-28, 2016 at the Orange County Convention Center-North, in Orlando, Florida.

For more information about GRAPH EXPO, visit: www.graphexpo.com.