The hottest new print technologies, a comprehensive educational slate, debuting show floor features and attractions, plus a record number of co-located events highlight PRINT 13 which is taking place this week in Chicago’s McCormick Place and runs through Thursday, September 12. This year also marks the first time that CPP EXPO, which serves package printers and converters, is co-located with PRINT 13.

With the theme of “Integrate, Innovate, Communicate,” PRINT 13, together with CPP EXPO, has 100 targeted educational sessions in 12 specialized learning tracks. PRINT 13 also features 14 show floor pavilions and specialty sections, four show floor Learning Theaters, plus offering individualized guidance and direction are four “Ask the Expert” stations for the 12 major graphic communications industry segments: Commercial Printers, In-Plant Printers: Corporate/Government/Education Print Centers, Sign & Display Shops/Wide Format Printers, Package & Label Printers & Converters, Quick/Small Commercial Printers, Photo Imagers & Retailers, Transactional Printers, Mailing & Fulfillment Professionals, Book Printers/Publishers, Newspaper Printers/Publishers, Marketing/Creative Services Professionals, and Media/Print Buyers.

Educational opportunities kicked off September 7 with the Executive Outlook Conference. Sponsored by EFI, Xerox, and OutputLinks Communications Group and themed “Driving Profits Through Innovation, Integration, and Communication” the fast paced half-day session showcased the issues and trends most relevant to graphic communications professionals. The 66 co-located conferences, users’ group meetings, workshops, and social events offer a record opportunity for networking and education having grown from 22 in 2010, to 34 in 2011, and 48 co-located events in 2012. The PRINT 13 and CPP EXPO 100-plus seminar sessions and computer labs plus continuous sessions in the Learning Theaters and individualized guidance in “Ask the Expert” stations on the show floor offer  learning opportunities for graphic communications professionals from every segment of the industry.

On the Floor
Headlining the attractions at this year’s PRINT 13 is a host of new and “reimagined” show floor features. They include BIG – The Wide Format Pavilion with all of the latest output equipment, software, media/substrates, inks, finishing equipment and supplies plus new applications and solutions to expand and build profits. Also at BIG is the ISA Wide Format Innovation & Application Theater sponsored by the International Sign Association and “Ask the Wide Format Expert” station sponsored by Big Picture Magazine.

A new show floor attraction making its world debut at PRINT 13 this year is The Inkjet Candy Store – a consolidated feature where show goers will see in action, side-by-side, live demonstrations of some the newest wide format inkjet printers from several manufacturers.

Cornerstone pavilions of the show are the Prepress/Software: Workflow & Design section-offering new software and opportunities to test-drive the very latest equipment, and the Press/Finishing section, featuring innovations in digital, inkjet, hybrid, flexo and offset print technologies.

Attendees wanting to explore emerging technologies have that opportunity at Future Print where they can discover the new and emerging print technologies, featuring: RFID, Printed Electronics, and 3-D printing, and witness the actual production of printed electronics. The pavilion and learning theater, dubbed the “Experiential Lab,” are both sponsored by FlexTech Alliance.

Attendees are also be able to participate in the pavilion’s all new lineup of learning and networking activities inside The Printerverse. Sponsored by PrintMediaCentr this is an interactive “home base” to meet, tweet, learn, share, interact, and explore the latest innovations and applications that are driving the print industry forward.

Expanding the show floor attractions and responding to the needs of a key industry segment is the co-located CPP EXPO which offers attendees access to the world of package printing and converting. Among the exhibiting converting industry suppliers are Allen Datagraph, AzTech Converting, CRC, EFI, Epson, Esko, GEW, HP, INX, Label Vision Systems, Lake Image, LasX, Mark Andy, Mark Andy Print Products, Meech, Max Daetwyler, MCS, Masterpiece Grafix, OKI Data, Polymag Tek, Precision Airconvey, Rotoflex, Roland, Sun Chemical, TGW, Verso Paper and Xeikon.