From the Editor: Expo Reflections

Nothing makes me happier than when I plan a party and everyone shows up. That’s what it was like at the In-plant Forum during PRINTING United Expo when I looked around the room and nearly every seat was full. Not only was the turnout great, I knew most of the managers in the room, so we got to catch up, if only for a few minutes.

One result of that conclave was that several state government printers got to meet each other and compare notes. Print managers from the states of California, Missouri, New Mexico, Alaska, and Ohio were all at the luncheon. Most were not in those roles a decade or more ago when the National Government Publishing Association was still active, but just like during that group’s heyday, they recognized the importance of networking with peers in government printing, and talked of continuing the conversations.

In-plant managers packed the room for the IPI In-plant Forum.

State government printers are among the largest in-plants in the country, as evidenced by our rankings in this issue. (They make up six of the top 10 largest in-plants by sales.) Because most government in-plants handle such high volumes of transactional printing and mailing, sharing best practices with fellow state printers can have a big impact on their success.

State printers from Alaska, New Mexico, Missouri and California attended the forum.

At the Expo, I had ample time to talk with managers from all sectors and learn what they’ve been up to. I heard about expansions in garment printing in Ohio, new wide-format additions in Texas, new inkjet presses in Kentucky, and an ambitious in-plant innovation center in California. I talked with a school district in-plant manager in Houston, Chuck Werninger, who just took a new job that will enable him to build an in-plant from the ground up to provide curriculum materials for several Texas districts. (You can hear his story in a podcast on our site.)

I had dinner with a group of K-12 in-plant managers who meet regularly via Zoom to compare notes and give each other ideas. They all print open source curriculum materials for their districts around the country, and some even print for multiple other school districts that lack their own in-plants. Those using inkjet for these high volumes have coached their peers on this transition, and helped them craft justifications based on their own experiences. Attending PRINTING United Expo offered these in-plants an opportunity to meet in person and further the friendships they had forged online.

IPI In-plant Forum

Most in-plants at the Expo were blown away by the vast array of apparel printing and promo items on display. “You don’t have to go to a promotional products show,” observed Abbas Badani, of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Expo, he said, is that show. He expects to expand apparel production in his shop to make up 30-40% of its business in the next few years.

Though the Expo was packed with equipment and software, it was also a great place for getting ideas and having conversations. Next year it moves to Orlando, Florida, so put it on your calendar now (Oct. 22-24) and don’t miss the chance to experience it for yourself.