Don't Miss Out on a Unique Opportunity –Michelson
Not in the market to purchase or lease any equipment? Don't think it's worth the travel expense to attend this year's premier industry event in person, or to send any of your key staff members? Well, think again. With more than 50 seminars, and 48 related conferences, user group meetings and special events, Graph Expo 2012 will provide a great educational and networking opportunity next month. And, that doesn't even factor in the chance to check out all the products shown by 450+ industry suppliers on the McCormick Place South show floor.
Graph Expo also holds special significance this year—given that it will provide the first opportunity for most U.S. printers to investigate technological developments that debuted at drupa in Germany last May. Although some of the drupa highlights were either "concept" technology demonstrations or products that won't be commercially available for at least another year, Graph Expo will still provide a key compass point on the future direction of our industry. (Be sure to check out our extensive Graph Expo Product Showcase, beginning on page 36 in this issue, which previews many of the developments that will be featured by individual exhibitors.)
Other special events slated for Graph Expo 2012 are also noteworthy. The annual Executive Outlook conference will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, the day before the show opens. There, for the first time, Must See 'ems "Best of Category" awards will be announced for the most compelling exhibits and products at the show, as chosen by a panel of industry judges. Also new this year are a cross-media applications gallery in the PODi booth, where examples of successful cross-media campaigns within specific markets will be showcased; a CPP Zone for attendees interested in package printing and converting; and the PrintMediaCentr, a multimedia hot spot where show goers can meet, Tweet, create streaming videos and learn all about today's emerging communications tools from industry experts.
You can still register online for the show at www.graphexpo.com. This unique networking and educational opportunity won't happen for another year. Also note that the Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday morning, Oct. 7, so pack your running shoes. With the chance to see demos of post-drupa products on the show floor and 48 co-located events, it will truly be a race to take in all that Graph Expo has to offer.
Mark T. Michelson
