GRAPH EXPO Show Attendance Rallies for Second Consecutive Year

RESTON, VA—Nov. 6, 2012—Reinforcing its position as the industry’s largest and most innovative graphic communications trade show for the Americas, GRAPH EXPO 2012, which was held on Oct. 7-10 in Chicago’s McCormick Place, overcame economic and industry uncertainty by welcoming increased attendance over the 2011 event. Among the total 21,022 participants, which included exhibitors and attendees, there were 13,694 actual verified attendee/buyers—up 2 percent from 2011—that came to the show.

Additionally, there was an uptick in the participation of high-level decision-makers from among 8,252 unique buyer companies—up 3 percent—compared to the 2011 event. When compared to the 2010 show, 2012 attendance registered a 9 percent increase in buyers and 15 percent increase in buyer companies.

Based on its commitment to reporting the truest and most accurate attendance numbers the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC) defines “actual verified attendees” as registered onsite show goers-counted only once-regardless of their number of days at the show, or times they enter the exhibit hall.

“Despite overall industry challenges, GRAPH EXPO continues to see growth for the second consecutive year. More qualified buyers, and the number of companies those buyers represent, were up from both the 2011 and 2010 shows!” said GASC President Ralph Nappi.

GRAPH EXPO 2012 featured a comprehensive exhibition of the very latest profit-enhancing technologies and applications for a diverse spectrum of industry attendees. This year’s show was enhanced by a record 48 co-located conferences, meetings, user groups and activities that afforded attendees a host of new and expanded networking and education opportunities.

According to exhibitor feedback, this year’s attendees came “on a mission” with budgets to spend on the equipment, products, software and applications demonstrated by the 468 exhibiting companies that occupied the South Hall of McCormick Place. There, show goers found 71 first time exhibitors, who joined veteran exhibitors in recognizing the high caliber of attendees and results from this year’s show.

Reinforcing the trade show’s “Print Integrated” theme, the exhibit hall featured a striking “Who’s-Who” gathering of top industry suppliers and manufacturers who demonstrated their latest and most advanced technologies and services-many making their U.S. debut at GRAPH EXPO 2012. For more highlights of post-show coverage, visit The GASC Channel. http://www.gasc.org

Next up for the industry is the global PRINT 13 exhibition, themed “Innovate, Integrate, Communicate,” set to take place Sept. 8-12, 2013, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Recognized as the commercial printing, publishing, converting & package printing, newspaper, mailing & fulfillment, transactional, marketing and photo imaging exposition for the Americas, PRINT 13 will welcome co-show CPP Expo 2013 and also debut its newest show floor feature-the Photo Imaging pavilion-for Photo Imagers and Retailers. Spanning the realm of print, online and mobile, attendees will be able to see the most advanced graphic communications technologies, “live” running equipment on the show floor, explore the newest applications, and learn about the most in-demand products and profit-making opportunities in the nine special-interest sections planned for the show. A host of 50 new and returning co-located events will provide show goers even greater incentive to attend next year’s show.

For more information about PRINT 13 is available online.

About GASC
GRAPH EXPO and PRINT are produced by the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC). GASC is owned by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES), and the Printing Industries of America.

Source: GASC.