Editorial - Graphic Monthly Canada

December 2007

Basking in the excellent vibe of 2007 Graph Expo

Chicago trade show a big success because of atmosphere, and eagerness to purchase

Every year, after I return from Graph Expo and sift through the new product announcements, presentation notes, and meeting details, I try to identify, if only to myself, which item at the show captured my imagination. It usually isn’t a big significant product, or even a commercially viable technology, but more of a personal choice—something I might tell people who don’t know anything about this industry such as my husband or friends at a dinner party about. A couple of years ago I was quite taken with and wrote about lulu.com. Last year I took a colour test at X-Rite where I had to arrange four sets of 20 little coloured pots in the right order of gradation. I only missed two. I was proud and boasted to our art department here for days.

This year, I admit it was a bit harder to find that aha! moment, though I was pretty proud when three Canadian companies won recognition at the Xerox Pixi Awards. They competed with printers from all over and it was pretty cool to hear Canada’s name being announced. I was sitting with other Canadians and we cheered with glee, admittedly, thanks to a few glasses of wine, a little louder than was proper.

But, if I have to choose something, I think the keenest memory I took away with me was the good mood of the place. It wasn’t a show of significant product announcements—everyone seems to be sitting on all the exciting stuff they have in the works until drupa. But everyone was upbeat, even the journalists and editors, as cynical a bunch of people as you’ll find anywhere. The mood wasn’t quite as buoyant at it was in the heady days of 1999 to 2001, but it was significantly better than it had been for several years.

The vendors and exhibitors were happy with the turnout—not so much due to the large numbers who walked the aisles, but because the ones who were there were serious and in a buying mood. This may be an observation that is more applicable to the U.S. market than Canada, but the consensus seemed to be that, after a protracted industry consolidation, the weak and failing printing enterprises had been weeded out and those left standing were stronger and ready to buy again.

At the Executive Outlook conference, the day before the show opened, attendance was up significantly over last year. If there was a less-than-positive note coming from the show, it sounded here during the presentations. The NAPL reported that print sales had slowed to 2.3% during the first half of 2007, from 5.6% during the same period last year and it expects total sales will grow 1.5% to 2% this year and 1% to 2.5% next year. Most of this less-than-stellar performance can be attributed to the modest GDP growth expected in the U.S.

Neverthess, most of the vendors delivered pretty upbeat messages at press conferences. Most reported growing sales, and rosier forecasts than in previous years. And sales reports following the show were equally upbeat.

If you didn’t make it to Chicago, Graphics Canada, this year’s biggest industry event, looks like it will deliver the same positive vibe. The halls are sold out, a lot of equipment will be on display, some never shown in Canada before, and a full roster of seminars is on the schedule. Turn to page 22 for our highlights of the show. We’ll be there, of course in booth 1239. Drop by for a chat and tell us what’s happening in your neck of the woods.

Filomena Tamburri is the editor of Graphic Monthly Canada. She can be reached at ftamburri@graphicmonthly.ca