GraphExpo '08 question

[Tech]

Hi All,
I'm interested in attending this annual event for the first time, but I like to be able to get my company to sponsor the trip and not out of my own pocket. Although, if I must, I will... tough times now, which means I need to further my own education as well.

I'm upstream with publishers and producing source files rather than downstream. I'm more concern about how downstream workflow in CTP/Acrobat technology is affecting upstream folks whom I have to support. Expo's site info doesn't really answer this concern for me.

For those whom has been there before, how helpful were their seminars? how informative are floor demos of latest apps/hardwares? do you walk away at the end feeling more educated?

I appreciated any feedback/suggestions!

Thanks.

 

[gordo]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

Seminars are useful if the content is appropriate for you. Best value though might be putting a name/face to a subject matter expert that you can talk to after the seminar is over.
Floor and in-booth demos are great for folks that are on the cusp of a buy decision. They can easily walk back and forth from one prospective vendor's booth to another, talk to the engineers, and easily do direct comparisons. As a result GraphEx is often a place that closes deals that have been in the sales process for awhile.
I doubt that it's a valuable general educational venue though, unless you are willing to spend a great deal of time speaking with and extracting info from the vendors you visit. Their primary goal will likely be garnering sales leads, closing sales, and generating brand/product awareness rather than educating the public.

best, gordo

 

[Tech]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

I'm not in charge on purchasing products, if asking questions in-booths sound like a waste of their time, and I rather not be selfish doing that.

If I'm only there for seminars, I will walk away half-full? It's too bad because I would like to learn more about downstream apps, workflow and hardwares in WYSIWYG floor demos.

Would you know how prepared and knowledgeable these seminar instructors are? I had a session with Taz Tally before, I wasn't impressed. All he talked about were things I was already aware off and most of his materials only confirmed things I knew as well. I'm not a know-it-all, or I won't be browsing this forum daily, but it would also be counter-productive if seminars only confirms things you already know about. I do wish they list a detail outline for each seminar on Expo's site instead of what they would discuss in brief paragraphs.

 

[rich apollo]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

Hap,
Graph Expo is a great thing to see, but it's mostly geared to selling. Now, depending on what you're specifically looking for, there are other venues. GATF has good classes. Adobe was doing an annual event that sounded GREAT. Here in Tulsa we have a technical teaching institution with a printing arts program.

I personally make a point to attend the PIA/GATF color management conference each December. You could answer almost any workflow question there. You may get those answers from the presenters, but you're just as likely to get answers from attendees.

I'd say you oughta' try to cozy up to some prepress folks. A few beers will yield all kinds of info.

Where are you located?

By the way, just looked at your profile - you passed the ACE?!

 

[Tech]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

I'm in NYC and yea... finally passed Indy ACE a month ago

I'm currently studying for Acrobat Prof, it looks easier than Indy but after 3 attempts with Indy, I'm not taking it lightly anymore. You really need to study the apps from every resources you can get. I know many complaint about the cryptic questions including myself, ironically, I also learn a ton from studying for the exam.

 

[rich apollo]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

I have a couple of contacts in that area - I might be able to help you start a dialogue with someone.

> {quote:title=Tech wrote:}{quote}
> I'm currently studying for Acrobat Prof, it looks easier than Indy but after 3 attempts with Indy, I'm not taking it lightly anymore. You really need to study the apps from every resources you can get. I know many complaint about the cryptic questions including myself, ironically, I also learn a ton from studying for the exam.

You're aware that Acrobat 9 is out - right? Yep, gotta' start studying all over again.

Congrats on the ACE!

 

[Tech]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

Thanks Rich.

I'm aware of Acrobat 9, but honestly, I do not see our vendors or us upgrading to v.9 anytime soon. I don't think there is any words yet on new exam, so I might as well get this done before summer ends and deal with re-certification later.

 

[michaelejahn]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

Okay,

I will take the high road (which is fraught with danger, as I do presentations for vendors that exhbit at Graph Expo...)

I think that Graph Expo would be a total waste of time for you, really.

There are all sorts of upstream publishing conferences that are way more important as this is an ever changing landscape - when you are "ready" to publish, then you simply need to select the appropriate output stream, and that has far more to do with authoring your document properly than what you 'save as'...

example - for a book or user manual - I may export a PDF for the Xerox iGen (a PDF/X-3) - but if the 'output' is a web help file, or a in Application help guide, a localized help file (French, German, Spanish, etc..) or an search-able ebook - well, again, this is less about understanding the d=different settings and more about using the right authoring application and 'approach'

What you might learn at Graph Expo is;

Everyone is demanding that you send then PDF/X 1a files (you already know more than 90% of the attendees about how to do THAT)

All the vendors are saying "Hey, we can process PDF/X-4 file because we licenced the Adobe PDF Engine !" and after saying that, will have not much more to say...

You will see few inspired presentations on ICC profile processing, now that Acrobat 9 supports that, but not at the depth that you require As you are ACE)

So, hey, skip it and go to The Oriely Tools of Change conference in NYC in Feb 2009 - that will challenge someone like you...

http://en.oreilly.com/toc2009/public/content/home

Hopefully, this will not start some huge flame of mean spirited sniping !

 

[Tech]

Re: GraphExpo '08 question

Hi Michael,
See if you put things in that perspective, I'm glad I asked the question.

Thanks for the link, looks very interesting and is right in my backyard... dunno why I had no info about this 3-yr old conference.