Computer-to-plate and postpress products top the list of technologies visitors plan to examine during next month’s Nexpo/SuperConference.

Despite fears about the economy, more than 60 percent of those responding to this year’s Newspaper & Technology Nexpo Buyer’s Survey said they plan to go to the convention. That’s a 7 percent increase over last year’s figure. Most newspapers — more than 70 percent — expect to send at least the same number of employees to Las Vegas as were dispatched to the 2002 Orlando, Fla., exhibition.

The combination of Nexpo and SuperConference, announced last year, didn’t appear to influence whether or not newspaper managers expected to attend next month’s show. Almost 75 percent of respondents said the blending of the two events had no impact on their convention plans.

Instead, the high travel costs, and in some cases, outright travel bans instituted by publishers concerned about the sputtering economy, were cited as one of the major reasons why some won’t go to the meeting. Others said they had no plans to purchase new equipment in 2003, thus making the trip unnecessary.

Expect suppliers that market CTP, inserting equipment, electronic tearsheets, advertising, electronic workflow systems and press products — which include press controls, color tower and press equipment — to get the most exhibit-floor traffic, the survey indicated.

That mirrors respondents’ opinions about the key issues newspaper publishers have to address as cost concerns take center stage. According to the survey, managers believe newspapers must adopt more technologically sophisticated inserting, zoning and front-end systems to remain competitive. Pinpointing how quickly CTP systems return their investments is another critical issue, according to the survey.