European Medical Device Market Expected to Grow by 9% in 2008, Reflecting Aging Populations and Increased Spending on Healthcare Technologies

Los Angeles, CA (January 10, 2008) �Europe�s medical device manufacturing market, the second-largest market for medical devices globally, is expected to continue its expansion and grow by 9% in 2008, according to an October 2007 forecast by the International Trade Administration (US Department of Commerce), as a result of aging populations and increased spending on healthcare technologies. Canon Communications, the leading publisher, trade show producer, and digital media company for the world's US $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, operates 12 trade shows in Europe for the medical device and allied advanced manufacturing technology sectors.

�Outpacing automotive and other leading advanced manufacturing industries in Europe, the market for medical device manufacturing has continued to sustain impressive growth in 2007,� said Kevin O�Keefe, Senior Vice-President for Canon�s Events Division. �Annual medical devices output in 2007 was �71 billion. Looking ahead to 2008,� he added, �the factors of an increasingly affluent and aging population together with the recent accession of more fast-developing, former East European states into the EU, ensures that medical device production will continue to demonstrate strong growth.�

Mark Temple-Smith, Canon�s Event Director for Europe and Asia, noted that one strong indication of the continued vitality of the European medical device manufacturing market can be seen in the company�s MEDTEC shows in the UK, Ireland, and Germany, which saw exhibitor participation and visitor attendance increase by 25% and 12% respectively in 2007.

O�Keefe added, �We are seeing similar very positive growth in our North American and Asian MEDTEC shows, including the newly introduced MEDTEC Japan debuting in 2009, reflecting global demand for sophisticated medical devices. At the same time, our strategy of locating our medical technology events in the centre of key regional manufacturing hubs within Europe and of co-locating them alongside other allied but otherwise non-medical events means that we can offer exhibitors a far greater return on their investment and visitors a much more fulfilling visitor experience. It�s a unique position to be in.�

About Canon Communications

Canon Communications LLC, a portfolio company of Apprise Media LLC, is the leading publisher, trade show producer, and digital media company for the world�s $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, including medical device, packaging, design engineering, process technology, automated assembly, electronics, quality control, and plastics processing.

The company produces trade shows for the U.S., European, and Asian markets, including: Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M), MEDTEC, and BIOMEDevice; WestPack, EastPack, SouthPack, and MidPak; Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, Pacific Design & Manufacturing, Design & Manufacturing South, and Green Manufacturing Expo; Quality Expo and Quality Expo Detroit; Powder & Bulk Solids, PTX (Process Technology Expo), ChemProcess, PharmaProcess, and ProcessPack; Assembly New England, Assembly Technology Expo, and Automation Technology Expo (ATX); National Manufacturing Week, Advanced Manufacturing Exposition (AM Expo), and OEM New England; PLASTEC; NEPCON, Electronics Assembly Show (EAS), and Electronics West; IPOT, MTEC, Practical Vacuum, and Machine Building, Drives & Automation.

Canon�s powerful assets include a qualified database of 200,000 advanced manufacturing professionals and 5,700 active exhibitors. Together they are the engine which drives Canon�s annual 170,000 net meters of exhibition space around the world.

The company�s expanding array of magazine titles includes MD&DI (Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry), Medical Product Manufacturing News, Medical Electronics Manufacturing, European Medical Device Manufacturer, Medical Device Technology (UK), China Medical Device Manufacturer, IVD Technology, MX, Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News, Med Ad News, R&D Directions, Nutritional Outlook, Cosmetic/Personal Care Packaging, Injection Molding Magazine, Modern Plastics Worldwide, Powder/Bulk Solids and Appliance. Digital media include the medical device design and engineering portal, Medical Device Link; the online magazine, Advanced Design & Manufacturing (AD&M); and 50 branded e-newsletters and e-publications.

Further information about Canon�s business-to-business publications, trade shows, and digital media is available at http://www.cancom.com.

About Apprise Media

Established in 2004 by Charles G. McCurdy, Apprise Media LLC is a leading private equity investor with an exclusive focus on niche media and information companies. Apprise currently operates two strategic platforms: Canon Communications LLC (www.cancom.com), the leading provider of events, publications, and online media for the world's $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, and Apprise Enthusiast Media LLC, which serves a variety of attractive consumer niche markets through Beckett Media LP (www.beckett.com) and APG Media (www.apg-media.com). For more information, please go to http://www.apprisemedia.com.