I sat down with Dan Mustata, show manager of Graphics Canada, to find out about this year’s trade show.
K: The economy is a big issue for potential exhibitors and visitors coming to Graphics Canada this year. What have you done to boost participation?
D: This year, we have done some unique and innovative things: three major conferences are held during Graphics Canada, and at least one is focused on strong and distinct Canadian content.
You’ll be able to learn about things at Graphics Canada that you wouldn’t find at any American show or event. In particular, Canadian business trends and technology as well as Canadian finance, environmental, compliance, regulatory, sales and marketing information. This information will be complemented by a great display of equipment and technology shown for the first time in Canada. We have added brand new features to our pavilions and also brought back traditional ones.
At this year’s Graphics Canada, you’ll see the Sign and Wide Format Pavilion, the Graphic Software Theatre, Mailing and Fulfillment Technologies Area, print automation and JDF, as well as web-to-print pavilions and much more.
Talking about the economy, as we speak, we have added one more session to the conference program called “Why this is a good time to buy an offset press.” It will present an objective perspective and real case studies from an impressive panel consisting of the latest buyers of offset presses in Canada.
K: Is there anything new about the show or any surprises for visitors this year?
D: We do have a special big addition this year: the PacPrint Canada show and conference. This is basically a show within a show that will include exceptional content for flexography, labels, packaging and converting. It will also cover topics like colour management, industry trends and also what consumer package goods makers need from packaging printers. We also have the CPIA 09 Strategy conference, and the Printer of the Year awards to look forward to.
We have also just confirmed that our keynote speaker this year will be Dr. Joe Webb. He will be speaking an hour before the show opens on November 12, from 9-10 a.m. on Digital Media’s Challenge: Reawakening Print’s Entreprenurial Spirit. This follows along with our theme this year of change, diversifying, innovating and finding new ways to deliver value. The idea is to think beyond being a print provider and move on to becoming a solutions provider.
K: What do you look forward to most about the Graphics Canada show, and what can visitors look forward to?
D: What I am looking forward to this year is re-igniting the passion in the printing industry. Print is alive, and it is powerful, and I believe it will still be that way 10 years from now. The goal is to produce the best show we can, even with the current economic circumstances, and bring in leading and innovative exhibitors and printers. We want to re-energize the printing and graphics industry, and a strong Graphics Canada show can do that.
Another thing I look forward to is giving back to the industry. Not too many people know about this, but the Graphics Canada show gives back 50 per cent of its profits to industry associations, students and scholarships. Over the last four shows, we have been able to give 1.5 million dollars back to the printing industry, and we want to continue to do that.
K: What advantages does coming to the show give to exhibitors, and what do you think about those who may not attend?
D: There are a good number of innovative companies looking at Graphics Canada as a huge opportunity to bring their latest equipment and solutions to demonstrate to printers, in these times, why they should invest. Printers continue to tell us that they are looking forward to visiting the show.
A recent industry survey revealed that from previous Graphics Canada visitors questioned, only 1.5 per cent have said they aren’t going to come. The huge majority said they are attending and looking forward to the show. There are great opportunities here for those willing to embrace new technologies and those who are looking to continue to bring value to their customers. We have the complete package this year – we have the best suppliers and exhibitors combined with the best seminar education program that the show has ever had.
K: Do you have any final words of advice or tips for exhibitors this year?
D: Well, we have just put together a manual about how to exhibit successfully. We are trying to explain to exhibitors that this year’s show is not about the aesthetics, but it’s about bringing the equipment, running it and demonstrating it. Minimize your costs. Forget about the magicians and the hostesses and the dry ice. The number one reason visitors come to the show is to see new equipment. Come to Graphics Canada this year and show your true capabilities.
The Graphics Canada show this year runs from November 12-14 at the Toronto International Centre on Airport Rd. Please visit Graphics Canada for more details. Dan Mustata: 416-385-2030, danmustata@graphicscanada.com
