ACUP 2018 Wraps up at Lake Tahoe

By Bob Neubauer

With snow-capped mountains rising above the waters of Lake Tahoe, the setting for this week's Association of College and University Printers (ACUP+) conference couldn't be nicer. Nearly 100 higher-ed in-plant managers from across the U.S. (plus two other countries) spent the week having energetic conversations and enjoying great educational sessions.

After a spirited opening reception Sunday evening, the conference kicked off Monday morning with keynote speaker Ken Macro, chair of Graphic Communications at Cal Poly State University, who explored the shifting role of the in-plant. He urged attendees to engage in "lifelong learning" and explore new print-related technologies, even if they aren't applicable to their in-plants, so they understand what lies ahead for the industry. Technologies like printed memory, microtype for security, scented and thermo-chromic inks, printed electronics and even virtual reality are sure to have an impact on the industry, he said.

Macro was followed by some great, interactive sessions on wide-format, student workers, disruptive strategies and in-plant success stories. The vendor exhibit area opened on Monday and attendees spent hours checking out equipment and talking with vendors.

Tuesday's keynote speaker Jennifer Powers woke attendees up with her provocatively titled session "Oh, Shift!" Her high-energy presentation brought forth strategies to help managers step into more positive, empowered mindsets.

The views of Lake Tahoe at lunch could not be beat.

Opening speaker Ken Macro discussed the shifting role of in-plants.

Keynote speaker Jennifer Powers gave a very enthusiastic presentation.

The vendor exhibition area.

Blaming others for our situations, she said, merely shifts the blame away from ourselves and stops us from making changes.

"Things don't happen to you or against you, they just happen," she said. "It's how you react to those things that gives you control over your life."

Using negative language, she said, can attract negative results, while speaking with positive words can have the opposite effect. Complimenting others, for example, lifts both their spirits and yours, she pointed out.

After her presentation, Tuesday sessions covered topics like merging print and mail, copier fleet management and changes in USPS regulations.

Wednesday began with the ACUP member meeting, followed by IPG Editor Bob Neubauer's presentation of brand new IPG data on in-plant software and prepress trends. The afternoon featured a series of roundtable discussions on copier fleet management, wide-format applications, student workers and marketing strategies. That evening the ACUP+ Awards ceremony took place. For the first time this year, attendees selected a People's Choice Award out of the 28 award winners.

The 53rd annual #ACUP conference has started at Lake Tahoe pic.twitter.com/uKTg2RSUgG

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) April 30, 2018

In-plant managers checking out the vendor exhibits at #ACUP @XeroxProduction @RICOHProPrint @risoprinter pic.twitter.com/qVGVsQ5UeJ

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) April 30, 2018

The All New, PANTONE Certified #Xante En/Press continuously draws attention with its time and money saving capabilities. It's an absolutely-must-see technology @ ACUP and Xante Digital Color Road Show in Northern California #print #digitalprint pic.twitter.com/am1OM8rL6L

— Xante Corporation (@XanteCorp) May 3, 2018

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Bob Neubauer Author's page

Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.