Reinforcing its position as the industry’s largest and most innovative graphic communications tradeshow for the Americas, GRAPH EXPO 2012, held October 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, 13,694 actual verified attendee/buyers—up 2 percent from 201—came to the show with a high level of purchasing power to examine, compare and purchase the latest graphic communications technologies. 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, it is 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 Company (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 forty-eight 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 seventy-one first time exhibitors, who joined veteran exhibitors in recognizing the high caliber of attendees and results from this year’s show.
Reinforcing the tradeshow’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 at www.gasc.org.
