Graphics of the Americas Shines Bright

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.

Exhibitors and Attendees Concur: “GOA 2008 Was the Place to Be”

“Graphics of the Americas was the perfect venue for us to showcase the renewed and expanded Xanté. This was an incredibly good show for the company and its dealers,” Xanté Vice President for Worldwide Sales, Scott Reese, says. “GOA is the place to be to reach the all important customers from the Americas, particularly Latin America. “The response was tremendous,” Reese says. “Given the momentum of GOA, we feel very positive leading into drupa.”

According to Hurst Chemical Company, its booth was well attended and continually busy. “GOA was an excellent launch for our new SmartPlate IO System, and the show sales provided a tremendous jump start for its introduction” stated Hector Marmolejo, Hurst’s Director of Technical Support.

Positive feedback from exhibitors was also reflected in brisk show exhibit sales for 2009. In fact, GOA reports sales of more than 50% of 2009 booths (representing 450 booths), even before the conclusion of this year’s event. Graphics of the Americas 2009 will be held February 26-28 in Miami Beach, Florida.

GOA Broadcasts

This year, Inside Media Networks, the official broadcast partner for GOA, was present capturing live video coverage of the event. Stay tuned for online interviews and video coverage of GOA’s many conference programs, new products and exhibitor news. For more details, visit: www.graphicsoftheamericas.com .

About Printing Association of Florida
The Printing Association of Florida is one of the most active and influential printing associations in North America, with headquarters in Orlando, Fla. More than 500 Florida-based graphic arts companies consider the PAF their ultimate business partner. Governed by an all-volunteer board of directors elected by its membership, the PAF is a not-for-profit association representing the interests of the graphic arts industry throughout the state. PAF is affiliated with Printing Industries of America / Graphics Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF), the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, making PAF members a part of the largest, most comprehensive graphic arts advocacy organization in the world. The Printing Association of Florida is located at 6275 Hazeltine National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822, by phone at 407-240-8009, fax 407-240-8333, and on the Web at www.pafgraf.org .

About Graphics of the Americas
Now in its 33rd year, Graphics of the Americas is produced annually by the Printing Association of Florida, Inc., an industry trade association. Taking place each year in Miami Beach, Fla., GOA is the largest, annual combined exposition and education event in the U.S. With worldwide attendance and exhibitors, GOA is one of the only conferences that attracts print providers, suppliers and creative professionals. For 2008, GOA was held Feb. 27 through March 1, and provided a one-of-a-kind international event that showcases the convergence of industry knowledge, products and technology. For more information call 1-800-331-0461 or visit www.graphicsoftheamericas.com. Outside the U.S. and Canada, dial 407-240-8009.