A Word from PRINT '09

Hello,

Earlier this week I was in Chicago at the PRINT '09 trade exhibition. The PRINT show is held every 4 years and during non-PRINT years, GraphExpo is held. These shows take place at Chicago's McCormick Place which is a massive convention center. The primary exhibitors are printing equipment manufacturers, paper companies, software application firms, publishers and educational institutions.

So what does all of this have to do with media distribution? Everything. The distribution process is essential to all content created and produced for dissemination whether to 1 individual or to the masses. A venue such as PRINT '09 really emphasizes the complexities of the entire print production cycle which starts with the customer order specifying their wants and needs.

There was much to see at this show including an impressive booth display from Eastman Kodak, Xerox and Heidelberg. However, one of the significant features at this year's show was the focus on mailing, fulfillment and distribution. There was a large amount of floor space dedicated to suppliers of mailing equipment/software and mailing consulting firms. Their message was clear: A reliable distribution workflow is critical to the print production process and it involves a myriad of functions such as staging, packaging, mailing and fulfillment.

For more information on PRINT '09 and future PRINT and GraphExpo shows go to: www.gasc.org.