There’s a lot going on this month, especially locally. For example, Insource will hold its 2018 “Insource Expo” May 9 and 10 at its Markham, Ontario, headquarters, featuring hands-on demos and equipment specials. Guest speaker Richard Stavis of Riso USA will discuss Changing the Culture of Printing. The DIA’s Smart Print Shop session will be held May 17, with Anthony Thirlby of Heidelberg presenting, while its Annual Golf Tournament will be held June 14 at St. Andrew’s Valley in Aurora, Ontario. The OPIA’s annual Excellence in Print Awards Night will be Thursday, May 24th at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Etobicoke. The organization will also hold its annual SWOB Golf Tournament June 20 at the Rockway Golf Club in Kitchener, while its annual Toronto Golf Tournament will take place August 9 at Angus Glen in Markham.
Several other successful events occurred during a very busy April. Ryerson University’s annual GCM Colloquium and Business Plan Expo in Toronto April 3, were combined into one super-networking event with the theme Evolve: Startups, Mergers & Acquisitions in the Graphic Arts Industry. Speakers were Deanne Sinclair of Cambridge Label, Jay Mandarino of CJ Graphics and Peter Tran and Rhodi Iliadou of Equal Parts Studio. The expo’s imaginative business start-up ideas from over 140 talented fourth-year students were on display. I was also happy to learn that Ryerson professor (and Graphic Arts contributor) Jason Lisi will be the next GCM chair beginning July 1. Ian Baitz, outgoing chair, did a superb job overseeing tremendous growth in enrolment during his nine years.
Toronto’s ICON Digital Productions hosted a charity dinner April 5 that raised $35,000 for the Geneva Centre for Autism. Bill Kidd, IAPHC president, organized its 43rd Annual Awards Night April 11 in Toronto that saw students honoured for their academic excellence. The DIA meeting April 18 meeting explored Innovation Without Spending A Dime. The BC Sign Association held its BC Sign & Graphics Show in Burnaby, April 20 and 21.
Finally, if you’re interested in advertising in our premier 2018 Wide-Format Inkjet Guide, please call me at 1-877-513-3999. Our Graphic Arts Career Centre (jobs.graphicartsmag.com) is also the place to advertise if you’re seeking employment in the printing industry or looking for skilled staff.
As always, stay positive and stay focused.
More great local events on the horizon
