Graph Expo Beats the Odds

Published: February 01, 2009

Reston, Va | Despite bleak worldwide economic news that had dominated the media in the preceding weeks, Graph Expo 2008 exceeded expectations and enjoyed brisk business, according to Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), producer of the show. While overall attendance was down 12.5% over the record-setting 2007 show, more than 26,000 attendees represented 8,800 individual companies — marking a slight increase in the number of companies over last year's show. The event was held October 26-29 at Chicago's McCormick Place and offered visitors more than 600 exhibitors covering a 450,000-sq-ft show floor.

GASC reports that while media stories prior to the start of the show had warned of a near-complete halt in spending and credit worldwide, the association researched the lending potential of exhibiting banks and third-party lenders. Attendees discovered on-site that there was plenty of money to lend — more than usual, in fact — just not through the typical large banks that were involved in the subprime and credit card debacle. Moreover, the business economic stimulus plan that GASC's partner organization, NPES The Assn. for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, had promoted all year created an additional incentive for those ready to buy this year. “Graph Expo was a good show for us,” reported Susan Baines, director of marketing at offset press vendor Komori America. “We've had quite a bit of momentum since the show that will carry us through the balance of the year.”

Graph Expo takes place annually, replaced every fourth year by the global Print show. The next Print event is themed “myPRINT” and takes place September 11-16, at McCormick Place. For more information visit www.print09.com.