PFFC - December 2008 - (Page 9) FROM THE EDITOR That’s Show Business! hese last few weeks have been rather business—for seizing upon an opportunity to hectic, particularly if you’re an editor make money. After all, isn’t this what constitutes visiting exhibitions for the converting the very basis of American capitalism? So what’s and package printing industry. In fact, really at the heart of why there are so many shows over the past 30 years covering this industry, I is simply that it’s profitable! don’t recall ever having so many shows so closely When one show loses it appealing flavor, it seems scheduled. But that’s show business, I guess. a new flavor pops up, in turn only to be replaced by Earlier this fall, I reported on Labelexpo, held yet a newer flavor that isn’t necessarily any better September 9–12 in Rosemont, IL. Following on its than the last one, but it’s new, so exhibitors try it. heels was SuperCorr Expo on September 22–26. They’re hoping for more new faces and new sales More recently, Graph Expo was staged on October opportunities. And the 26–29 at McCormick Place. But the coup de grâce show companies? They (oh, my aching feet!) undoubtedly was Pack Expo, make money too. Process Expo, and Converting & Package Printing After visiting with a (CPP) Expo—all of which were co-located, once number of exhibitors over again at McCormick Place, on November 9–13. the course of these past few Inside the span of just three months, this months, I keep hearing show list represents only the tip of the iceberg. what has become a static There’s a whole slew of other shows, some of complaint. They feel there which are redundant, in varying sizes that will are too many shows. Okay, be held next year in the US, such as Graphics but who started this show of the Americas, uv.eb WEST, PRINT 09 cocraze, the exhibitors, the located with the new Flexographic Technical show companies, or the Assn.-sponsored PackPrint, Converting/ attendees who frequent the Materials/Machinery (CMM) Exposition, and shows? Perhaps it’s a bit like NPE2009, just to name a few. Then there are asking which came first, the European shows, including Drupa (this the chicken or the egg, but past April), in 2009 Grafitalia/Converf lex, why does any show die, International Converting Exhibition (ICE), barely survive, or thrive? and Labelexpo Europe. And let’s not forget Ultimately, I believe the any number of international shows that have success of any show hinges replicated themselves all over the world. on the enthusiasm of the Why are so many shows serving our industry? exhibitors that invest in My guess is because the paper, film, foil, and a successful show with Yolanda Simonsis paperboard converting industry in itself is quite working equipment to attract similarly enthusiastic Associate Publisher/Editor horizontal, comprised of several very buyers. But what’s more important is the vertical businesses that are quite diverse interest of the visiting attendees. When in nature. It took a while for show your enthusiasm wanes, a show will die. organizers to figure this out, but But it’s my guess that a new one will once they did—oh, boy, the race pop up to replace it, and the same was on to niche our once fairly exhibitors will support it. Seems like cohesive industry into many smaller a never-ending Catch 22, doesn’t it? INDUSTRY vertical shows. So what do you think? How do OUTLOOK And the exhibitors all signed you decide which shows serve your up for booths at multiple, needs? Would one behemoth show frequently overlapping, shows—albeit along the lines of a quadrennially held begrudgingly in many cases—so you US-based Drupa show serve your needs as could see their product offerings. Each new show well or better than a number of niche or redundant promised a targeted audience with hopefully new shows? I really want to hear from you! My friends call me… faces and new selling opportunities. Mind you, I have no grudge against any company—show business or any other type of T COMING NEXT MONTH What do you think makes a show successful? Write to me at yolanda.simonsis@penton.com. WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM DECEMBER 2008 | 9 http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM
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