MIAMI BEACH, FL—March 18, 2008—Nearly 13,000 attendees from 78 countries converged under the sun to share in the excitement of Graphics of the Americas 2008, held from February 27 through March 1 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“We turned up the volume this year and made some very positive noise in virtually all areas of the event,” says George Ryan, President and CEO of PAF, host of Graphics of the Americas. “We worked hard to bring a sharpened experience for attendees and exhibitors alike. From enhanced support to dynamic conference sessions, there was an exciting energy that pulsed throughout the show. We have set a new standard not only in our 33rd year of Graphics of the Americas, but we feel for all industry events moving forward. Look for even more exciting innovations coming at Graphics of the Americas 2009!”
Exhibits open among fanfare, ribbon cutting and crowds (left to right): Larry Kudeviz, CEO and President of Genesis and chairman of the board of PAF; George Ryan, President of the Printing Association of Florida; Sarah Patt-Pronek, PAF Vice President of Trade Shows; Curt Kreisler, Chairman of the PAF Trade Show Council; Juan Carlos Sacco, President of Conlatingraf, and Jose Luis Zamora, Vice President and President-Elect of Conlatingraf
GOA was successful in drawing steady crowds of printers, graphic professionals and print buyers worldwide to 940 booths (representing 450 unique vendors) covering over 250,000 net sq ft. Traditionally a mainstay event for U.S. and Latin Americans, this year GOA was successful in drawing attendees from a total of 78 countries including Europe and Asia.
Major companies exhibiting included C. P. Bourg, Duplo, EskoArtwork, Fujifilm, Goss, HP, Ikon, Man Roland, Ricoh, Ryobi/xpedx, Screen, Presstek, Xanté and X-Rite.
Highlights of the conference events included Design for Personalized Communications, Brand Protection and the In-Design conferences. Planning is already underway for some exciting educational conferences for next year’s show.