In addition to its 96 educational sessions, Printing United (the latest iteration of the SGIA Expo) will feature three half-day intensive workshops on Tuesday, October 22, the day before its official show opening in Dallas, Texas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Complementing the comprehensive agenda throughout the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and NAPCO Media’s new tradeshow October 23 – 25, the intensives will highlight opportunities, strategies and insights, all aimed at helping printers to succeed. “These two-and-a-half hour intensive workshops will provide in-depth, interactive education on different printing markets and opportunities,” said Dan Marx, Director of Content Development, at the SGIA. “With industry thought leaders sharing essential considerations for excelling and expanding one’s business, all three workshops will help shape attendees’ Printing United educational and show-floor experiences.”
Among the intensives held from 1:30 pm to 4 pm is Convergence Power Rankings: Where (and How) to Grow that will address the blurring industry segment lines behind Printing United’s new “under-one-roof” approach. Led by IT Strategies’ Vice President Marco Boer, the workshop will be broken into three segments, starting with an overview of synergistic opportunities from a technology perspective. “For example, if you’re in commercial printing, what are the synergies with wide-format in terms of substrates, ink, finishing, etc.? And, is it reasonable to go from your current industry into the next?” Boer said. He added that the workshop will also evaluate the “attractiveness” of prospective markets – such as how big they are, their growth or decline rates and the competition.
These discussions will ultimately end in an on-stage debate as Boer will share anecdotes, real-life examples and strategies for exploring Printing United’s tradeshow floor. “This is essentially a brainstorming session helping the audience through the thought process,” he said. “Industry convergence is a complicated topic, and there’s no right or wrong answer. The point is to open up ideas in attendees’ minds on where they should invest their energies while at the show.”
Also on Tuesday’s agenda is Wide Format 101: Strategies for Success, a popular workshop featured at the past four SGIA Expos, moderated by Ray Weiss, Director of Digital Print Programs at the SGIA. Designed for printers currently offering or considering wide format, this workshop’s panel of industry experts will share essential knowledge for success in this growing industry – from selecting the right equipment and employee recruitment, to colour management and pricing strategies.
In Digital Textile Printing: What, Why and How, Ron Gilboa, Group Director of Production Technology at Keypoint Intelligence/InfoTrends — accompanied by experienced professionals — will discuss digitally printed textiles’ impact in the graphics and sign, apparel decoration and industrial printing markets. “This workshop will be an in-depth exploration of digital textiles – including workflow, market opportunities and equipment development,” Marx added. The Printing United half-day intensive workshops require a separate registration fee. The cost is $69 (USD) for SGIA members and $99 (USD) for non-members before Wednesday, September 11. To learn more and register, please visit PRINTINGUnited.com.
Half-day intensive pre-show workshops set for Printing United tradeshow
