Communities to Explore at PRINTING United Expo
The following article was originally published by Printing Impressions. To read more of their content, subscribe to their newsletter, Today on PIWorld.
We're just weeks away from the printing industry's most dynamic and comprehensive event. With more than one million square feet of equipment and solutions, as well as informative educational sessions, there's something for everyone at PRINTING United Expo (Sept. 10-12, Las Vegas).
The event takes a one-roof approach, meaning there will be equipment, solutions, technology, events, and education for nine different communities within the printing industry: Apparel Decoration; Commercial and Publishing; Functional and Industrial; Graphic Installers; Graphics and Wide-Format; In-Plants; Labels and Packaging; Mailing, Shipping and Fulfillment; and Promotional.
Let's dive into each community and check out some of the many things the Expo has in store.
Free Forum for In-plants
As we have for more than 10 years, In-plant Impressions will host a free lunchtime In-plant Forum during PRINTING United Expo to bring in-plant managers together during the show. Sponsored by Ricoh, and in partnership with the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), the forum will take place on Sept. 10 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. It will focus on artificial intelligence, and is sure to be a fascinating exploration into this topic and how in-plants can use AI to improve their operations.
AI can enable predictive maintenance on equipment and analyze data to boost your efficiency. It can streamline order processing, improve color management, detect defects, help with inventory management, and provide market insights through customer behavior analysis. AI can optimize your workflow, enhance your use of variable data, provide design assistance, and much more. This session will offer examples of how AI is being used by print providers and detail available products that incorporate AI. Attending this session is a must for every in-plant. Register here (in-plants only).
Commercial and Publishing
For those interested in the Commercial printing and Publishing segments, there will be plenty of equipment and solutions on the show floor, including from Platinum sponsor Ricoh (Booth C2161) and Gold sponsor Muller Martini (Booth C2561).
To dive into the educational space, check out "Survey Says Production Inkjet is Delivering Benefits to Commercial Printers on All Fronts" (Sept. 11), hosted by Lisa Cross, principal analyst, and Nathan Safran, vice president of Research, both of NAPCO Research. The session will explore how high-speed production inkjet printing is an attractive investment, backed up by research, that focuses on application trends, benefits, and the ways providers and users are leveraging the process to redefine communication possibilities.
Those currently engaged in or looking to expand into the book market should check out "Book Industry Market Update" (Sept. 12), moderated by Matt Baehr, executive director at Book Manufacturing Institute. The panel session will look at how book manufacturers are combining printing and finishing to maximize capacity and minimize labor challenges.
Graphics/Wide-Format
On Day 2 of PRINTING United Expo, the wide-format community will come together for the Wide-Format Impressions Forum. This year's luncheon forum will feature presentations that will address the industry's most pressing needs. One forum highlight will be a presentation by Kristin Dettoni, owner of Design Pool, focusing on how printers can effectively approach and penetrate the interior design/decoration market. Dettoni's session promises to be an essential guide for print professionals looking to capitalize on this growing opportunity.
The forum will also include a panel discussion moderated by Wide-Format Impressions content director Dan Marx, who will lead a conversation with experts from various aspects of the interior décor printing world. Current trends, success stories, challenges, strategies, and sustainability will be explored during the session.
Labels & Packaging
Continuing on the Forum front, the Packaging Impressions Forum will take place on Sept. 11. The event, created in collaboration with NAPCO Research, will provide in-depth information and data on the challenges and opportunities shaping the label and package printing markets.
Packaging Impressions Content Director Linda Casey will also share insights from the publication’s coverage of convergence trends, including examples of printing companies that have diversified their services by adding label or package printing services. Attendees will learn how these companies successfully navigated the transition into the package printing community, overcame challenges both in label and package manufacturing, in addition to serving print buyers with packaging-specific needs, and repositioned their businesses to attract new clients while maintaining or deepening relationships with current customers.
Apparel Decoration
This year, the Apparel community will be taken to the next level with the Apparel Zone, powered by Apparelist Live!, where experiential learning and hands-on education will take center stage for those new to apparel decoration and those who are experienced. Throughout the event, attendees can head over to the Zone to explore how to utilize and implement five different decorating techniques: screen printing; heat-applied graphics; embroidery; digital decorating; and sublimation/cut-and-sew.
Also reimagined for this year is the The Apparelist Live! Theater, which will showcase educational presentations on topics designed to help decorators run their businesses successfully.
Educational sessions also take place "off the show floor," during the Expo's extensive educational tracks. Don't miss sessions such as "Targeted Success: Finding Your Ideal Customer" (Sept. 10), and "AI in Apparel Decorating: Exploring the Tools Beyond Graphic Design" (Sept. 11).
Functional/Industrial
If you're looking to explore the functional/industrial space, stop by Gold sponsor Birttani Display (Booth SL5194) for the latest in its range of display, signage, and exhibit products and services, then take advantage of some of the educational sessions planned to address the needs of the functional/industrial space.
On Sept. 11, Andy MacDougall of RH Solutions will speak with a panel of experts from various sectors, suppliers, and printers about the future of functional and industrial printing in the session "Printing the Future Now." The session promises to give a "peek behind the curtain" because "hiding in plain sight, functional and industrial print is in every electronic device, consumer product, auto and airplane, solar and hydrogen fuel cells, medical devices and products, and things not even imagined 10 years ago. ... Anyone looking for new opportunities in print should attend."
Graphic Installers
Head over to Booth C1070 for the PDAA Wide-Format Zone for everything dedicated to graphic installers. Installers are the hands-on, skilled professionals who ensure the graphics our printers produce are seen, whether on vehicles, or in retail and commercial applications. PRINTING United Alliance offers special workshops, certifications and marketing opportunities to this unique community that directly serves the printing industry.
Then, on Sept. 11, further your knowledge by attending a panel focused on "Connecting Printers with Installers." This session will help attendees gain insight on effective communication, site surveys, project coordination, and the latest trends in bridging the design/installation gap.
Mailing, Shipping & Fulfillment
The Mailing community will have plenty to explore in Las Vegas, including some can't-miss educational sessions. On Sept. 10, Kathleen Siviter of the National Association of Presort Mailers will be joined by panelists from ALG Worldwide Logistics, United Business Mail, and Pitney Bowes Presort Services to discuss "Saving Money by Mailing Smarter." The panel will discuss cost reduction strategies from basic to highly sophisticated.
If you're interested in minimizing costs while increasing the effectiveness of your mail services, then don't miss the session "Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your Mail While Keeping Costs Down," also on Sept. 10. After that session, head straight over to "Mastering the Workflow of Direct Mail Campaigns" for valuable insights and practical tips to improve direct mail success.
Promotional
Finally, the promotional products space will also be represented fully at the Expo. Take, for example, the session "Promo Products 101: How To Grow Your Business & Client Base for Q1" hosted by Joan Miracle of Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) on Sept. 10. The session will dive into top markets, hot products, and the biggest trends in the promotional products space.
Brendan Menapace, also of ASI, will moderate a panel later that day featuring panelists discussing print brokers who have transitioned into successfully selling branded merchandise. The session will share tips and tricks, as well as ways to avoid pitfalls.
If you're looking to expand into promotional products (or if you're an old pro), you will also want to check out the data-driven session "The 5 Markets That Buy the Most Promo (& 3 You’ll Be Surprised By)" to help you make more informed decisions. This session kicks off on Sept. 11.
Something for Everyone
No matter the community you align with most closely, or the segments you wish to explore further, there is something for everyone at PRINTING United Expo. Register now by clicking here.
Ashley Roberts is Content Director of Printing Impressions.
