GOA Show Reports Attendance Increase at Orlando Venue
ORLANDO—March 23, 2011—Graphics of the Americas 2011 (GOA) reports tremendous success following its 2011 Super-Event, with co-located FESPA Americas, ISS Orlando and cre8 conference. The 36th annual show took place in at the Orange County Convention Center on Feb. 24-26, 2011.
GOA reports that 9,800 people attended from 90 countries, with a majority of attendees coming from the United States. and Latin America. This is a 16 percent year-over-year increase in attendees. It was also reported that 75 percent of the attendees represented senior-level management, with 60 percent of the attendees coming from companies containing 1-19 people.
Top areas of interest at the show included: digital print/imaging equipment; art/graphic design; consumable supplies; pressroom equipment; wide format printers/equipment; prepress software; material & fulfillment equipment; computer software; package printing; and bindery equipment.
“We are thrilled with the results of our 36th annual show in Orlando,” stated George Ryan, GOA President. “We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from exhibitors and attendees, both of whom are reporting much success from both a purchasing and selling standpoint.”
Ryan continued, “Attendees were particularly drawn to the co-located FESPA Americas event, which enjoyed much traffic and excitement on the show floor.”
FESPA Americas reports tremendous success
FESPA Americas aimed to educate and inspire visitors through a range of innovative exhibits and show features, which included: Wide Format Print Shop Live!, Screen Master’s Workshop, FESPA Wrap Cup Masters Series and the Global Business Forum.
“We have been delighted by the reaction of the American print community to FESPA Americas, and have received fantastic feedback from both visitors and exhibitors,” said Frazer Chesterman, managing director-events from FESPA. “We presented the American audience with an innovative show formula to deliver a range of great ideas and solutions for their print businesses, and feel we have succeeded in providing attendees with a unique mix of engaging content.”
Educational programs again prove second to none
Over 2,000 people participated in the 78 GOA educational programs, which is a 12 percent increase over the prior year. And, for the third consecutive year, sessions in Spanish were highly attended throughout the show.
Many were in attendance at the show’s keynote address, “Inspiring Digital Innovation,” presented by John Bracken, director of Digital Media at the Knight Foundation. Bracken identified major trends in publishing and journalism, including the presence of “smartphones,” and differing views of social media. He also reported on the innovative projects that have been funded by the Knight News Challenge, as well as offered his own insights into what the future holds for media and society.
GOA 2012
Next year’s show will take place March 1-3, 2012 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information about exhibiting or attending, please visit www.goa2012.com or call (407) 240-8009.
About Printing Association of Florida (PAF)
The Printing Association of Florida is one of the most active and influential printing associations in North America, with headquarters in Orlando. More than 400 Florida-based graphic arts companies consider PAF their ultimate business partner. Governed by an all-volunteer board of directors elected by its membership, PAF is a not-for-profit association representing the interests of the graphic arts industry throughout the state. PAF is affiliated with Printing Industries of America, the world's largest graphic arts trade association, making PAF members a part of the largest, most comprehensive graphic arts advocacy organization in the world. PAF is located at 6275 Hazeltine National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822, by phone: (407) 240-8009 Fax: (407) 240-8333, and on the Web at www.flprint.org.
About Graphics of the Americas (GOA)
Now in its 37th year, Graphics of the Americas is produced annually by Printing Association of Florida, Inc., an industry trade association. GOA 2012 is scheduled for March 1-3, 2012 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. GOA is one of the graphic communications industry's largest annual combined exposition and conference in the U.S. With worldwide attendance, GOA is a unique event that attracts over 9,500 printers, designers, and creative professionals from North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. To register or for more information, call 1-800-331-0461, or visit www.goa2011.com.
Source: release.