CHICAGO — Today was opening day for GlobalShop 2008, the 16th installment of the trade show devoted to store design, visual merchandising and in-store marketing. An estimated 836 exhibitors sprawled out across 300,000 square feet of the newly opened West Hall at McCormick Place.

Although a complete count isn't available just yet, show representatives expected a crowd of roughly 16,000 attendees over the course of the three-day show.

Some notable announcements made on Day 1 include:

• Epson announced the extension of its digital marketing solution at Virgin Megastores to include the retailer's first "I Love Rock Band" promotion, designed to drive traffic to in-store contests for the popular Rock Band video game.
• Digital signage company John Ryan announced that it is making its Web-based content management tool Messaging Manager available as a standalone service.
• Channel M, North America's largest provider of out-of-home video content, announced a deal to develop a national in-store video network for the My Gym Children's Fitness Center franchise. My Gym TV will roll out to 180 My Gym locations beginning in April.
• SoundTube Entertainment, developer and manufacturer of speakers and audio-related hardware, announced a partnership with ScentAir. Together the companies will market the FP Series Focus Point, a directional speaker that can deliver aromas when a shopper enters the device's audio range.
• Digital View debuted the ActivPrint, a tiny electronic display that can be used to animate static photos.
• AccuWeather.com announced several enhancements to its digital signage feed offerings, including updated visuals and the addition of health-related content.