The other day I thought “It’s almost PRINT 09 time.” For hours, this phrase spooled endlessly between my ears to the tune of “It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time.”

I’m pretty sure PRINT 09 won’t have a Dancing Banana, but possibly Bill Lamparter could be persuaded to don this costume when announcing the winners of the popular “Must See ‘em” competition.

PRINT 09 will take place in Chicago from Sept. 11-16. The event is being promoted with the tagline “My PRINT 09″ to emphasize that attendees–which will include commercial, quick, wide format and specialty printers, designers, print buyers and many others–can expect a personalized experience.

For me, PRINT 09 is almost like a family reunion. Virtually all of the print and online journalists know each other. In addition to my friends from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, I’ll connect with my Latin American, Asian and European counterparts.

On the vendor side, I’ll catch up with the top executives, sales, marketing and technical crew. Since much of my job is done over the phone and via e-mails, I really value this face-to-face time.

I particularly appreciate the dazzling array of equipment and software. The Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC) is offering special discounts to encourage exhibitors to bring more machinery. Early reports indicate we will see a healthy representation of press iron, digital output devices, wide format printers, bindery equipment and more.

All of the experts will be at PRINT 09. From technical questions to management advice, you literally could throw a rock and hit the best minds in the business. (Although you literally could do this, as practical matter you would probably have to bring your own rock.)

I’m looking forward to seeing NAPL consultant Ray Prince at the show. I alway enjoy chatting with Ray, but I’m also inspired by his dedication to the industry. Education is his passion–I have joined him at the Education Summit as well as at special events for graphic arts educators.

Ditto for Frank Romano. Everyone knows Frank and I do mean everyone. During one cab ride from the convention center, I learned my driver, a student in the graphics art program at a local college, had taken one of Frank’s online classes. During my booth visits, I have met many RIT graduates–Frank’s former students–now working in the industry.

I would love to spend the show following Castle Press’ Susan Kinney at Castle Press and Suttle-Straus‘ John Berthelsen around the show floor. From environmentalism to education to just plain management advice, they have always been an excellent sounding board. They support the industry in so many ways–they are two of my print heroes.



PRINT 09 is also a chance to see our own columnist, Copresco’s Steve Johnson. Steve always has a quick quip and the latest scoop on our local print market.

I’ve attended Margie Dana’s Print Buyers Conference in Boston and will look forward to catching PRINT 09 program in Chicago.

Some of my friends won’t be at this reunion. This has been a tough year, the toughest I have known in a dozen or so years of covering the printing industry. But I’ll be there and I hope a lot of our AMERICAN PRINTER readers will join me.

I’ve told you about my PRINT 09. I’d love to hear about yours!



(See www.print09.com.)