PRINTING United: Intensive Education Sessions

Three half-day intensive sessions are planned for the day before PRINTING United opens. The sessions will provide in-depth, interactive education on different markets and opportunities.

Educational sessions aren’t limited to the duration of the exposition. On Oct. 22, the day before PRINTING United opens, three half-day intensive programs (from 1:30 to 4 p.m.) will kick off the experience: “Convergence Power Rankings: Where (and How) to Grow” with I.T. Strategies’ Marco Boer; “Wide Format 101: Strategies for Success” with SGIA’s Ray Weiss; and “Digital Textile Printing: What, Why, and How” with Keypoint Intelligence/InfoTrends’ Ron Gilboa. The PRINTING United half-day intensive workshops require a separate registration fee. The cost is $69 for SGIA members and $99 for non-members before Sept. 11.

“These two-and-a-half hour intensive workshops provide in-depth, interactive education on different printing markets and opportunities,” said Dan Marx, director of content development, 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 experience.”

“Convergence Power Rankings: Where (and How) to Grow,” addresses the blurring industry segment lines behind PRINTING United’s “under-one-roof” approach. Led by I.T. Strategies’ Vice President Marco Boer, the workshop will be broken into three segments, starting with an overview of synergistic opportunities from a technological perspective. “For example, if you’re in commercial printing, what are the synergies with wide-format in terms of substrates, ink, finishing, etc.? Is it reasonable to go from your current industry to the next?” Boer says.

Secondly, he says, the workshop will evaluate the “attractiveness” of prospective markets: their size, their growth or decline rates, and the competition. These discussions will ultimately culminate in an on-stage debate as Boer shares anecdotes, real-life examples, and strategies for exploring PRINTING United’s show floor.

“This is essentially a brainstorm session helping the audience through the thought process,” he says. “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 PRINTING United.”

“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, 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 color management and pricing strategies

“Digital Textile Printing: What, Why, and How” lead by Ron Gilboa, Group Director, Production Technology, Keypoint Intelligence/InfoTrends, and accompanied by seasoned 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 says.