Graphics of the Americas Reports Strong Numbers
- Published: February 25, 2003, By Teresa Koltzenburg, Senior Editor
MIAMI BEACH, FL, USA—Despite unusually chilly weather, numbers were up at this year's Graphics of the Americas (GOA). Held January 24—26, 2003, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Latin American-oriented trade event drew more than "21,000 visitors from around the world," reports event sponsor Printing Association of Florida (PAF).
While holiday travelers/vacationers to South Florida may have been disappointed by Miami Beach's unusually uncooperative rainy and blustery conditions that weekend, many exhibitors seemed pleased with the traffic and the sales.
"Millions of dollars of sales were reported by exhibitors," reports Chris Price, GOA general manager. "Everything from sheetfed presses, digital presses, CTP systems, finishing equipment, and software to stock photography and clip art was sold right at the show. And that doesn’t take into consideration thousands upon thousands of leads exhibitors take home to sell to throughout the year," he adds.
GOA also reports a record number of converting equipment manufacturers exhibiting at this year's event. Among familiar converting machinery and material suppliers in Miami Beach in 2003: Mark Andy, Paper Converting Machinery Co. (PCMC), Korber Paperlink North America, Crown Roll Leaf, Valco Cincinnati, and Rotoflex International. "Our exhibitors recognize more than 40 percent of our attendees are from Latin America, where the profile of the commercial printer is also involved in converting to some degree," observes Price. "And the large numbers of converting exhibitors means our attendess benefit from competitive pricing. For anyone planning purchases for 2003, there is no better time or place to discover, compare, and buy converting equipment than at this show."
Among other supplier reports from GOA: 
- Yupo Corp., a major manufacturer of synthetic paper in the western hemisphere, reported commemorating its 5th anniversary (at the show and this year) "in delivering innovative synthetic paper products and services to the North and South American graphic communication industries. In just five years," says the manufacturer, "Yupo brand synthetic paper has become the largest, most recognized name in the synthetic paper industry. Much of the success is credited to continued product innovation, strategic customer and technical support, and unmatched product quality." (yupo.com)
- Flint Ink Latin America announced a customer-service program to provide customer support tailored to address the specific regional needs of graphic communication professionals in Central and South America. The new program features a customer-service telephone number in Latin America and enhanced Internet functions to shorten service-response cycles and customize technical support.
"Graphics Communcations, packaging, and converting professionals in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America can reash sales representatives quickly and ask questions, obtain product information, and request technical support via telephone by dialing 305-670-0066 or (55-11) - 4613-5200 for Mercosur," says Flint Ink LA. (flintink.com) - Xerox do Brasil, in partnership with SENAI-AP (Brazil's top technical school in graphic arts), reported the upcoming inauguration of the "largest professional educational center for digital printing industries in Latin America," the Xerox Digital Print Educational Center (DPEC).
According to Xerox, the Xerox Corp. affiliate will make an investment of equipment and support valued at US $1.5 million to start the school, which will be based at SENAI-AP's Theobaldo de Nigris school in São Paulo. "The 700-square-meter facility will house leading-edge Xerox digital color and monochrome printing platforms. It will be equipped with classrooms, permanent workshops, and auditoriums for training and developing applications for digital print technology." DPEC reports it expects to train up to 1,800 Latin American graphic arts professionals this year. (xerox.com) - Also at the show... Ray Roper, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America (PIA) was named the Graphics Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) North American award recipient for 2003 by PAF. "Ray has been selected for this award in recognition of his vast contribution to the advancement of the graphic arts," says PAF president Mike Streibig. "This is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a member of our industry. I can think of no more deserving candidate than the man who has presided over the world's largest graphic arts trade association for the past 15 years."
- Anselmo Morvillo, founder and president of Anselmo L. Morvillo S.A., was named the Graphics Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) South American award recipient for 2003 by the Confederation Latinoamericano de la Industria Grafica (CONLATINGRAF) in conjunction with PAF. "Morvillo has worked in the industry since the early 1970s," reports PAF. "His entrepreneurial spirit has helped him build a full-service company offering prepress and full color commercial printing. An agreement in 1996 with Quad Graphics, Inc. [Wisconsin USA] transformed his company into an Argentinean industry leader."
Under the terms of the new agreement, Artes Gráficas and Conversión, Latin American print and web media covering the region’s printing and converting industries, will contribute significant advertising benefits to those industry suppliers joining CONLATINGRAF as associate members. Such membership gives those suppliers active in Mexico, Central, and South America unique inside access to the region’s graphics industry, as it comes with the ability to visibly participate in CONLATINGRAF events, access to its market analysis as well as to its participating members…. Through this new agreement, suppliers will now enjoy access to advertising in Artes Gráficas and Conversión....
