“Supersized” Graph Expo Packs in Crowds, Racks up Sales in Chicago
October 2007
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CHICAGO, Ill.—Hailed by exhibitors as “the number one show for us,” “extraordinarily successful,” and “the best show I can really remember,” the four-day Graph Expo held at McCormick Place in Chicago in mid-September was a success. With 654 exhibitors filling 460,296 square feet of booth space on the sold out show floor, this was the largest U.S. national graphic communications trade show since 2000 and the second biggest Graph Expo ever.
Its education program of nearly 70 sessions drew a record number of participants, notably the largest registration since 2000, with participants choosing to attend more sessions than in the past, including five sold out sessions.
Continuing its commitment to provide verified attendee data, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) reported 31,779 total participants (including exhibitors and attendees) at the event, achieving a 3 percent increase in attendance over last year, with 20,285 actual verified attendees. “The activity on the show floor felt great,” said Ralph Nappi, president of GASC. “Now with the registration data compiled and finalized, we definitively know that this year’s Graph Expo surpassed last year’s show, with 20,285 attendees spending at least one day at the show, and most more time,” he added.
As reported in the Show Daily’s Sept. 10 lead story, “Opening Day Home Run,” according to Sheryl Pattek, executive director, marketing strategy and operations, Océ North America, Inc., “Océ has participated in Graph Expo for the past eight years, and the show gets better every year. It has been very busy from the minute the doors opened, people coming to the booth appear to be well qualified—they’re not ‘tire kickers’—and there are a lot of new faces.”
Likewise, reported Forrest D. Leighton, senior manager, product marketing, production systems division, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “we’re so excited about the response we’re getting. The traffic has just been incredible!”
Echoing the positive sentiments, Rich Raimondi, VP/GM, graphic arts business-imaging & printing group, Hewlett-Packard said, “The show is full! There’s a more positive vibe and energy, even compared to the two most recent Graph Expo shows. A lot of customers are in buying-decision mode, ready to sign contracts.”
Veteran showgoer David Zimmerman, president, Zimmerman Printing shared his satisfaction with the show saying, “I’ve come to every Graph Expo. There’s clearly more digital technology and software at this year’s show, and that’s what I’m looking for. I always get a lot out of the show—the different solutions and new opportunities.”
Its education program of nearly 70 sessions drew a record number of participants, notably the largest registration since 2000, with participants choosing to attend more sessions than in the past, including five sold out sessions.
Continuing its commitment to provide verified attendee data, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) reported 31,779 total participants (including exhibitors and attendees) at the event, achieving a 3 percent increase in attendance over last year, with 20,285 actual verified attendees. “The activity on the show floor felt great,” said Ralph Nappi, president of GASC. “Now with the registration data compiled and finalized, we definitively know that this year’s Graph Expo surpassed last year’s show, with 20,285 attendees spending at least one day at the show, and most more time,” he added.
As reported in the Show Daily’s Sept. 10 lead story, “Opening Day Home Run,” according to Sheryl Pattek, executive director, marketing strategy and operations, Océ North America, Inc., “Océ has participated in Graph Expo for the past eight years, and the show gets better every year. It has been very busy from the minute the doors opened, people coming to the booth appear to be well qualified—they’re not ‘tire kickers’—and there are a lot of new faces.”
Likewise, reported Forrest D. Leighton, senior manager, product marketing, production systems division, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “we’re so excited about the response we’re getting. The traffic has just been incredible!”
Echoing the positive sentiments, Rich Raimondi, VP/GM, graphic arts business-imaging & printing group, Hewlett-Packard said, “The show is full! There’s a more positive vibe and energy, even compared to the two most recent Graph Expo shows. A lot of customers are in buying-decision mode, ready to sign contracts.”
Veteran showgoer David Zimmerman, president, Zimmerman Printing shared his satisfaction with the show saying, “I’ve come to every Graph Expo. There’s clearly more digital technology and software at this year’s show, and that’s what I’m looking for. I always get a lot out of the show—the different solutions and new opportunities.”
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