Graph Expo, Hall of Fame Tops Chicago

CHICAGO—As summer fades and leaves on the trees begin to change colors, it can mean only one thing on the calendars of commercial printers: it's time to pack those bags and head off to the Windy City.

The annual pilgrimage to McCormick Place South returns after a year's hiatus (of sorts) as the Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2002 exhibition comes to town October 6 to 9. More than 400 exhibitors filling 360,000 net square feet of exhibit space could draw up to 40,000 people.

While the economy continues to be sluggish, Graph Expo is still an attractive option for those who don't have an equipment shopping list. Educational opportunities abound, including three general sessions: State of the Printing Industry, Battle of the Printing Industry Curmudgeons and Growth Opportunities for Print. More than 60 seminars and brunch sessions will be presented by RIT guru Frank Romano and the leading industry associations.

The show floor itself is broken into three industry segments:

* Prepublishing. Group includes computer publishing and technology, electronic prepublishing, prepress and graphic design products.

* Press. Features printing and postpress equipment, supplies and accessories, as well as services to the trade.

* Converting. Offers converting accessories, components, materials (raw and process), machinery and equipment.

Those attending Graph Expo and Converting Expo won't want to miss the annual Gold Ink Awards and Hall of Fame Gala. Scheduled for Monday evening, October 7, at McCormick Place, the event recognizes award-winning printing and outstanding individual achievement in the industry.

This year's Printing Impressions/ RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame inductees include Donald Belcher, Banta Corp., Menasha, WI; Robert Krehbiel III, The C.J. Krehbiel Co., Cincinnati; Ray Scholler, Times Printing, Random Lake, WI; and Michael Simon, Publishers Press, Shepherdsville, KY.

Our sister publication, PrintMedia, will be inducting the following members: Greg Captain, Condé Nast Publications (magazine honoree); James C. Mikol, Leo Burnett USA (advertising); Melissa Schoenherr, Target Corp. (catalog); and Michael Ross, World Book (book).