The Big Picture - Wide Format Printing

(August 2010) posted on Tue Jul 27, 2010

Explore the full spectrum of the graphic arts at Graph Expo 2010

By Paula L. Yoho

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An Educational Sampler
Here are just a few of the educational seminars attendees will find at Graph Expo 2010:

• Executive Outlook Conference—The Challenge of Change in the New Era of Print
• Practical Profit-Makers: Digital & On-Demand Printing
• Six Essential Strategies for Sales Success in a Tough Market
• Inkjet Technology: The Evolution...and Revolution in New Business Opportunities
• Cross Media Marketing “pecialists: Inside an Evolving Model
• How to Win the Competitive Pricing Game
• Not Your Average “State of the Industry”
• Rock-Solid Ways to Leverage Satisfied Customers into More Revenue...Services...and Referrals
• Color Managing Your Digital Press
• Lunch Session: Status of Printing in the U.S.
• Computer Lab: Color Management—Mastering the Essentials
• Customer-Centric Marketing: Reap the Rewards
• The “Secret” to Selling to Anyone: Personality Types Revealed
• Harnessing Change: Rock-Solid Steps to Control Your Destiny and Improve Your Bottom Line
• High-Octane Prospecting: Strategies to Increase Sales and Profits
• Drive Sales by Maximizing Your Best Relationships
• Transforming from “Print Service” to “Marketing Service” Provider
• One Size Doesn't Fit All: Picking the Right Marketing Mix for Your Company
• Future of the Printed Product
• Slashing Production Costs: Simple, Smart Solutions
• High-Octane Coaching for Sales Team Success
• Printer-Marketer Magic: A Plan for Growing Your Business
• The Digital Landscape in 2010 and Beyond
  

If You Go
Graph Expo takes place at the sprawling McCormick Place—one of North America’s largest exposition center. Centrally located near downtown Chicago, the facility is easily accessibly by complimentary shuttle from any of the expo hotels.  Graph Expo has negotiated the lowest hotel and air travel rates and, for the first time ever, guarantees the best hotel rates for participants who book through the show’s housing vendor.

Being There
The pre-show Executive Outlook Conference (see main text) kicks off the event on Saturday October 2 at 8:00 a.m. Here are the official show dates and hours:
• Sunday, October 3, 10 am - 5 pm
• Monday, October 4, 10 am - 5 pm
• Tuesday, October 5, 10 am - 5 pm
• Wednesday, October 6, 10 am - 4 pm

Exhibits-only registration costs $45 ($30 if before September 3). Fees for educational seminars range from $150 each ($125 each if registered before September 3) to various multi-session prices, including a “value package” of $349 for three sessions ($299 before September 3). A full-access pass (unlimited sessions plus access to exhibits) is $999 ($849 before September 3). Visit graphexpo.com for more details.

Virtual Sneak Peek: August 19
With just a few weeks to go before the curtain rises on Graph Expo 2010, GASC hopes to drum up some enthusiasm for the “live” event with a Virtual Preview, held online August 19. Free to registered attendees, the Web-based trade show will include an interactive tour of new products and exhibitors who will be on-hand in Chicago, live networking and chat opportunities with exhibitors and other attendees, and even a selection of educational webinar sessions.

Vieder calls the virtual event “a great opportunity to meet some of the people who are going to be at the show—exhibitor-wise and attendee-wise—and to start making some of those connections, to set some appointments and, then, when they get onsite, they can hit the ground running.”

Graph Expo is expecting attendees from throughout the Americas and, as such, will offer simultaneous translations and discussions in English and Spanish.

“This isn’t designed to replace the show,” says Vieder. “It’s actually just to open the door a little bit so you can get a look inside at what’s there.”

The event will be archived and available to registrants until the “live” show opens.