2007 IADD/FSEA Odyssey on Target
TOPEKA, Kansas—Milwaukee, Wisconsin set the stage for the 2007 IADD/FSEA Odyssey, which hosted more than 1,300 attendees from 22 countries from around the world. Sponsored once again by the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association (FSEA), the 2007 Odyssey surpassed all of the previous Odysseys, with a 25 percent increase in attendees, 15 percent increase in exhibiting companies, and a 37.5 percent increase in countries represented.
“The recent IADD/FSEA Odyssey show in Milwaukee proved again to be the perfect learning environment for all visitors. The mix of classroom seminars combined with the demonstrations on the machines in the TechShop provided a real focus and allowed close interaction between the participants and those presenting the wide range of topics,” said Chris Raney, vice president, folding carton business area, Bobst North America. “Unlike the frenzy of many trade shows, the focus of this event makes it a great experience for everyone attending.”
The three-day event showcased a fully operational TechShop comprised of on-press technical sessions, press demonstrations, and a working die shop where attendees gathered to see the latest technologies in diecutting, diemaking, foil stamping/embossing, and folding/gluing. The technology hall bustled as attendees visited with over 120 different suppliers to the industry. “We were very pleased with the quality of the attendees and their interest levels in exploring all possible avenues of increasing production. The combination of the IADD/FSEA trade show and seminars was very educational,” said Michael DeBard, president, Diversified Graphic Machinery (representing Iijima and Saroglia). “We also got to spend more time with each visitor so they got a better sense of our equipment and of our company as a whole.”
Once again, the partnership between the IADD and the FSEA formed a synergy that was tremendously successful in packing the event with vendors and educational sessions that were specific to the two industries. “The Odyssey provided us with a very targeted audience for our Sanwa diecutter and new Fidia specialty gluer product lines. We were pleased with the qualified leads and exposure to our most important customer base,” said Joyce Porter, marketing manager, Independent Machinery, Inc. “The show events were extremely organized and well thought out. The combined effort with members of the FSEA made quite a difference in terms of interest levels and attendance.”
Plans already are underway for the next IADD/FSEA Odyssey to be held in 2009. “The 2007 Odyssey definitely set the bar a notch higher. We broke all previous records, enjoying record attendance, a record number of machines on the TechShop floor, great educational programs, and a sold–out exhibition hall,” said the 2007 IADD/FSEA Odyssey Chairman Joe Adkison, ADKO, Inc. “The Odyssey is a great networking opportunity—the perfect venue to put suppliers with customers and see a full hall of attendees seeking solutions to their problems. I eagerly await our next Odyssey in 2009.”
For information about the 2007 IADD/FSEA Odyssey, visit www.iadd.org/odyssey or contact the IADD directly at 1-800-828-IADD or 1-815-455-7519, or the FSEA at 1-785-271-5816.
