If you're like most people, taking a major trip means plenty of planning in advance. But usually, no matter how hard you try, some important details get lost in the last-minute rush. Fortunately, with our "Passport to Profits" pre-show planner from March 2005 in hand, your journey to CMM Intl. 2005 next month in Chicago will go smoothly with the extra information also presented here. Look for these further developments at the show April 18–21 at McCormick Place South.

CMM 2005 organizers New York-based Paperloop predict that the current weakness of the US dollar, a strengthening US manufacturing sector, bargain airfares, and inexpensive hotel rooms will result in a surge in visitors from Europe and other countries at the upcoming show.

European converters and package printers will be able to buy much more for their money as the Euro is soon expected to be worth up to 40 percent more than the dollar. "When you combine these savings with the savings of paying for shipping costs in Euros, some EU converters will be able to buy US machinery for less than half of the normal cost," says CMM president Ian Johnston.

The savings don't stop with the Euro/Dollar exchange rate, says show management. Bargain airfares to Chicago and discounted hotel rooms, combined with the favorable monetary conversion, can save visitors hundreds of dollars. This makes a visit to Chicago very cost-effective for the international buyer.

A significant international effort is also underway in Latin America where several leading trade associations and magazines are promoting CMM. CONLATINGRAF is sponsoring a Latin American Pavilion featuring leading machinery suppliers from throughout Latin and South America. A matchmaking program to connect interested US converters with Latin American suppliers is also being set up.

The parent companies of CMM and ICE have formed a transatlantic alliance to promote each other's trade shows to their respective audiences around the world—further boosting the potential for international visitors.

The first step consists of Nimble Shows & Media GmbH (Oberaudorf, Germany), organizer of ICE, promoting CMM 2005 to ICE's constituency of converters and suppliers throughout the European Union. ICE will also host a booth and have a major presence at CMM.

Likewise, CMM will actively promote the ICE show and exhibit at ICE 2005 in Munich, Germany, from Nov. 22–24, 2005. Future opportunities will be explored in a variety of areas including educational sessions and conference program initiatives.

"This new transatlantic partnership ensures both CMM and ICE remain the world's two leading converting-exclusive events," says Michael Boyle, ICE event director.

As a biennial show, CMM Intl. always seems to act as a good barometer of the converting industry. While based on only about 100 responses, statistics from a recent survey conducted by Paperloop indicate that 2005 will be a year of solid economic growth for the converting marketplace.

Eighty percent of the respondents say the converting economy will grow several percent this year; 20 percent see no improvement in the coming months. Interestingly, no one predicted a decline.

When asked how their company sales will perform in 2005, respondents are even more optimistic with 92 percent predicting an increase and six percent indicating sales would stay the same as 2004. Only two percent envision a decline.

Ironically, when asked to name the biggest challenges in 2005, "the economy" was mentioned by 63 percent. Although a large majority sees the economy improving, many appear to be cautiously optimistic. Some of this concern can be traced to raw materials pricing that was mentioned by a few respondents. The next three biggest concerns were competition (42 percent), changing technology (18 percent) and hiring needs (5 percent).

For the first time at any industry event, the Flexographic Technical Assn. (FTA), Ronkonkoma, NY, will provide its multi-level, press-skills certification testing to CMM visitors.

FTA's Press Skill Building Curriculum provides flexo-press operators with industry recognition through an examination of defined skills for escalating levels of knowledge. The curriculum includes activities and educational material that identifies specific skills and provides reference materials to assist operators in mastering those competencies leading to certification in each of three separate levels.

"Following successful completion of the exam at each of the skill levels, the individual earns an FTA-recognized certification," says Rick Mix, FTA technical director.

More info: 631/737-6020, fax: 631/737-6813, www.flexography.org

With a stronger international presence, an improving converting economy, a host of new learning opportunities, and a dozen "worlds of converting solutions," CMM Intl. 2005 looks to make good on its promise of a "revitalized, can't miss" event.