PRINTER NEWS

Near Record Crowd for CPP EXPO

PARAMUS, N.J.—Converting professionals from around the world came to Las Vegas to attend CPP EXPO. More than 3,570 attendees walked up and down the aisles to see the latest in converting machinery and materials on display. According to show organizers, the near record attendance is another indication that the industry is hedging its bets on a strong and imminent economic recovery.

"We've all felt the bumps and bruises of the economy this year, but the attendees not only arrived in high numbers, they came ready to buy," says Leo Nadolske, president of CPP EXPO.

CPP EXPO Las Vegas, which took place October 5-7, 2009, was co-located with PACK EXPO Las Vegas and PROCESS EXPO in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The combined attendance for the three shows was 33,967, of which 22,721 were strictly attendees.

"Given the economy this year, we are extremely pleased with the turnout," says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI, which organizes PACK EXPO. "Trade shows mirror the industries they serve, and the strong attendance may indicate an economic recovery as consumer goods companies leverage the show for their capital equipment investments and packaging innovation efforts."

CPP EXPO Las Vegas also produced the converting and package printing conference tracks at The Conference at PACK EXPO. About 200 attendees attended the four related sessions.

Smyth Companies is PIA's Best of the Best

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Smyth Companies, Inc. has been designated as "Best of the Best" for 2009 by the "Best Workplace in the Americas" program. The program is administered by Printing Industries of America (PIA) and awards are bestowed on those companies that demonstrate exceptional practices in the area of human resources and employee relations.

The choosing of Smyth for a "Best of the Best" award is "testimony to the exemplary practices of Smyth Companies," stated Michael Makin, president and CEO of PIA.