The 42nd Graphics of the Americas (GOA) event was enormous success in its first year in Fort Lauderdale. Attendance, lead generation and content were fantastic and exceeded expectations. This was due in part to GOA’s co-location with the NBM show. Together, the two shows took over the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center for 3 full days of demonstrations, workshops and exhibits. More than 250 exhibitors, over 1,000 brands and attendees from over 70 countries participated in this year’s co-located show. GOA’s acclaimed educational seminars, offered in both Spanish and English, were highly attended. In addition to the seminars, GOA brought back their Expo Theater this year. Attendees were treated to demonstrations and education right on the expo floor.
GOA will return to Fort Lauderdale again next year as the Miami Beach Convention Center will still be undergoing renovations in 2018, but exhibitors and attendees are excited for the return to Fort Lauderdale. They found that the convention center was easy to find, offered ample parker and it was conveniently located near numerous hotel, dining and entertainment options. The 2018 trade show will take place February 22-24, 2018.
Gabriel Hernandez, the president of GOA, says that his goal is to build on the colossal success of GOA and refresh the show for the new century. “We have a unique 42-year history of bringing together North, Central and South America and the Caribbean together to celebrate, learn, network and grow our industry. But we still have room to improve. I joined this fabulous team several months ago and I immediately recognized that we have a highly loyal audience of exhibitors and attendees and we will be the vehicle that carries them into the future of print. That is why we themed our 2018 show as GOA Next. The industry is evolving and not only will that be showcased in our 2018 show, but it will be seen in our organization as well. What we do, and how we do it, will be in step with our modernizing industry. GOA will continue to bolster its popular features and showcases, but will also bring a more contemporary presence, and the latest presentations for packaging, digital printing, digital finishing and wide format-inkjet components.”
GOA 2017 Highlights
GOA Educational Seminars: Hundreds of attendees participated in GOAs popular educational seminar tracks. “The feedback we have received has been wonderfully positive and from what we have seen, companies from all over the world have attended and intent to come back again. This gives us great momentum for 2018.” Hernandez says.
The INKON Couture Fashion Show: This years “printed” fashions were created three separate teams. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale’s Fashion and Graphic Design programs, Stahls’ and Sabina Saga wowed GOA Attendees with Gowns, Active Ware, Corporate Ware and amazing 3D Printed fashion that defied belief. It will be difficult to top the 2017 INKON Couture Fashion show but GOA will make the attempt in 2018.
Busy Show Floor: A variety of the latest technologies being demonstrated live on the show floor were offered to attendees. These special expo areas included, but were not limited to: The Expo Theater; The Digital Flexo Zone sponsored by Afinia Label, Mitsubishi Imaging (MPM) Inc., Nilpeter, Rapid Label Systems and Xante; the Wrap Cup Americas Competition, hosted by MR ClipArt; the 3D printing Zone sponsored by Imidia and Makerbot; the Textile Zone sponsored by Electronic Sign Supply, Imidia and Neenah Papers Inc.; and Wide Format Print Shop Live!, sponsored by Caldera, PrintLat and Sihl.
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GALA and Theobaldo de Nigris Awards Dinner
GOA is honored that special partner CONLATINGRAF, the Latin American Graphic Industry Confederation was a big part of GOA 2017.
CONLATINGRAF, together with the Printing Association of Florida (PAF), honored the winners of the XXIII Theobaldo de Nigris Printing Competition and presented the Graphic Arts Leader of the Americas award to Roberto Tapia Mac Donald. Mr. Tapia is the current president of Asimpres and Conlatingraf. He was honored as the GALA by Mr. Gabriel Hernández, president of the Printers Association of Florida (PAF).
What Exhibitors are Saying
Very successful GOA! Great attendance in a wonderful new venue, fabulous show to connect with new potential customers. Great way to start the year, looking forward to GOA 18. – Larry & Associates, Inc.
Another great show at Graphics of the Americas 2017. In addition to promoting our brand and products, we meet new customers and sell very well at this show year after year! GOA is the show to see new Digital Inkjet Technologies and that helps us get a fantastic return on investment. We get traffic and the sales! – Printware LLC
Brand awareness was a huge success for us at the Graphics of the Americas trade show. The GOA Team was very easy to work with and always accommodated our needs, to make the show a success! We participated in the INKON Couture fashion show where our garments decorated with a range of our heat applied materials were well presented, attracting more visitors to our booth the next day. We had a good crowd at the show, the US market and International market all together in one show! GOA is good for STAHLS’.
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– STAHLS’
The show was great! We are proud and happy for being a part of Graphics of the Americas. – Imidia
Thank you for allowing the Postal Service to be part of the Graphics of Americas. What a great experience it was for me! – United States Postal Service
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