ImagExpo Americas '97 Takes Shape in Mexico City
Ventura, Calif. — Joining forces with Multitek, a Mexican imaging supplies manufacturer with the Grupo Tek Chemical Specialties Division, Diamond Research Corporation (DRC)
of Ventura, Calif., launched a new corporate entity on January 27. Called ImagExpo S.A. de C.V., the new unit is 50 percent owned by DRC. It will manage ImagExpo Americas, a trade show for
the imaging industry to be held annually at a strategic Latin American venue. This year, the Hotel Royal Pedregal in Mexico City was selected as the site for the August 28 to 30 show.
The investment team at Grupo Tek is led by two industrialists, Antonio Cepeda, Sr., chairman and CEO, and Antonio Cepeda, Jr., executive vice president. Grupo Tek is a Mexico
City-based conglomerate with interests in chemical manufacturing, paper coating, toner manufacturing, hotels, movie theaters, golf courses, and other diverse fields. Mr. Antonio Cepeda, Sr., was named president of ImagExpo S.A. de C.V. and Arthur S. Diamond, was named vice president.
Industry Expands in Latin America
Advances in imaging equipment from copiers, printers, and faxes to a new generation of mopiers, multifunctional devices, color ink jet printers, digital color printers, and presses are
changing the way businesses and people communicate. Trends in imaging materials science and in hardware engineering are shaping the future for our childrens' education, medical diagnostics, satellite tracking, outdoor advertising displays, and many other graphic applications.
ImagExpo Americas '97 will bring together for the first time the manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and service organizations that comprise this exploding market in English and
Latin-speaking nations of the Western Hemisphere. This new and innovative show will highlight opportunities in every sector of the imaging industry and help open new channels of distribution for imaging components and consumables.
Lions & Tigers & Bears
As electronic communications continue to shrink the distance between nations, world markets are expanding and creating opportunities on a global scale. Latin America has long
been overlooked by corporations seeking export markets.
When it comes to opportunities in overseas markets, most corporate executives in North America look either to the Tiger (Asia and Japan), the Dragon (China), the Lion (United Kingdom),
or the Bear (Russia). They tend to overlook a major market in their own hemisphere: Mexico and Latin America. Antonio Cepeda, Jr., said, "Mexico is the third largest consumer of American
products worldwide. Long the trade leader, it is now serving as a platform for free trade with agreements among all major countries south of its borders and with NAFTA. These free trade agreements
have brought markets closer and opened doors for products throughout the region."
Mexico is currently working on a free trade agreement with the European Community (EC) through which it expects to gain access to world markets. Mexico is also working closely
with Mercosur, the South American trade group encompassing Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Mexico already has free trade agreements in place with Chile, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Colombia,
in addition to the NAFTA pact with the United States and Canada.
Art Diamond, president of DRC, said, "It's time to reveal the great opportunities for the imaging industry that exist in Latin America. ImagExpo Americas is dedicated to that purpose."
Who Will Attend?
At ImagExpo '97, you'll find American, Asian, European, Mexican, and other manufacturers of imaging equipment and imaging consumables worldwide, as well as remanufacturers of
laser and ink jet cartridges, who desire to be active in Latin American markets. The list includes manufacturers of toners, ink jet inks, thermal dye transfer, and direct thermal media and other specialty papers and films. Dealers and distributors of imaging products in Central and South American countries, should attend this event to discover opportunities for diversifying their product lines.
Mexico City: Gateway to Latin America
Mexico City is an excellent venue for this event an international city that stands as a gateway to expanding markets in Latin America. It offers convenient service, direct connections,
and attractive fares from many destinations in the Western Hemisphere.
Upon arriving at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), travelers have many ground transportation options: taxi cabs, minibuses, vans, or limousines. Purchasing
coupons within the secure customs area ensures that your driver is registered and authorized. The drive from Benito Pablo Juarez International Airport (MEX) to the Hotel Royal Pedregal takes about 30 minutes on average and costs only about $12 to $15 U.S.
The Royal Pedregal is a new 326-room world-class hotel. It features state-of-the-art meeting and banquet facilities and a complete spa and health club. Fine dining is just off the lobby at
the Primavera Restaurant; most entrees are priced under 80 pesos (about $11 U.S.).
The Hotel Royal is situated in the Pedregal district in the southern sector of Mexico City. Pedregal is a city within a city a mixture of residential areas, shopping malls, restaurants
and entertainment facilities, as well as corporate and financial centers. The fashionable, indoor Perisur Mall is within a half mile of the hotel and rivals any major shopping mall in the United States. Within an hour of the hotel by automobile or tour bus are several archeological sites.
Exhibit Hall Layout
More information about ImagExpo Americas '97, including a list of Exhibitors and a floor plan of the Exhibit Hall and Conference Rooms, will be forthcoming.
For additional information and an Exhibitor's Kit, contact Valerie Gorka of Diamond Research at (805) 650-9081; or Mario Naveda, of Multitek S.A. at +525/616-5796.
This article originally appeared in the March 1997 issue of Recharger.