The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA – Bohemia, New York) has moved its Fall Conference 2020 to a fully virtual environment. Now known as the Virtual Fall Conference 2020, it will retain six of its technical sessions, evolve into a fully online exhibit space, and add opportunities to connect with attendees before, during and after the event. The decision comes following an arduous review of the issues raised by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travel and in-person gathering restrictions, the state of business in the current flexographic industry – and above all, concern for the safety and well-being of FTA members. The Virtual Fall Conference 2020 will take place October 5-7 in FTA’s “Virtual Conference Center.” Each day will begin with a pair of back-to-back technical sessions. Attendees will be able to listen live, to industry experts discussing essential topics, dissect a print sample sent to registrants, participate in live polls and pose questions to presenters.
“We’ve spent the past several weeks listening to the community – including sponsors, contributors and participants – in order to determine the best way to still bring Fall Conference to life,” said Virtual Fall Conference 2020 Chair Paul Lancelle of Miraclon Corporation. “Companies and individuals throughout the industry are looking for the sense of togetherness that’s most associated with annual meetings like Fall Conference. We feel we’ve found a way to provide that, while respecting the present circumstances. So while it will not be the same, we’re excited about the ability to create a valuable, virtual space for our industry to come together.”
The online event’s virtual exhibit space will allow attendees to connect with exhibitors for live equipment and product demonstrations (on demand or pre-scheduled), conduct video calls for one-on-one networking, and obtain additional company and product information through pre-recorded presentations, brochures and other downloads. The virtual exhibit space opens October 5 and will remain open for 10 days, through to October 14. Replicating the mingling, shoptalk and social atmosphere Fall Conference is known for, attendees and exhibitors will be given access to an exclusive Slack work space. There, they can interact during the month before and after the event, and speak with presenters.
FTA President Mark Cisternino added: “Coming off Virtual Forum 2020 and its successful transition to an online environment, industry volunteers and FTA staff are well prepared to put the lessons they’ve learned to use in creating a conference that leverages best-of-breed technologies, and closely imitates the familiarity of an FTA event. On behalf of everyone involved, I’m very excited to show you what we have in store.”
Registration for Virtual Fall Conference 2020 is open now. Single-seat and five-seat bundles are available, and FTA members can save 50% off the non-member rate. For more information and to register, please visit www.flexography.org/fall2020.
FTA announces its Virtual Fall Conference 2020
