Wide-Format Summit Wraps Up
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The 2024 Wide-format Summit – now in its 4th year – wrapped up July 31 in Aventura, Florida. After a wild evening of faux gambling at the "casino night," day three finished strong with case studies, general sessions, and 1:1 meetings.
Although the preceding two days had been jam-packed, attendees were still engaged and excited to participate on the summit's final day. In-plant attendees found the summit to be a great experience.
"It was invaluable to network with seasoned professionals in the field and seek their advice on our next steps for expanding our offerings and capabilities," commented Mike Chaplin, director of Print & Mail Services at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. "Even though it was three days away from the office, having access to so many vendors is really a time saver compared to scheduling appointments with each of them individually."
Exploring The Opportunities of AI
Dan Marx and Adriane Harrison discussing how businesses can utilize AI for HR operations
To kick things off, WFI Editor Dan Marx took the stage to discuss one of the industry’s hottest topics: artificial intelligence.
Throughout his presentation, Marx emphasized that AI isn’t a magic tool that waves a magic wand. If wide-format printers are going to utilize AI in their everyday business practices, they must put in the work to see how it fits, and how it will improve processes.
To put into perspective how print service providers can utilize AI, Marx was joined on stage by Adriane Harrison, Vice President of Human Relations Consulting for PRINTING United Alliance. Harrison explained how AI can tackle HR-oriented aspects of business, as well as its limitations. The session also included brief discussions with Dan Thompson of Italic Press and Steve Cussons of miniGiants Inc., who outlined their nascent efforts in realizing the production and management possibilities of AI.
Exploring Impairment and Sustainability
Gary Jones of PRINTING United Alliance spoke on trends in sustainability.
After a series of vendor case studies, Adriane Harrison and Gary Jones, both of PRINTING United Alliance, did a joint session where they each gave presentations about modern issues that affect the wide-format industry. Harrison's touched on the challenges of managing impaired employees, including those struggling with cancer treatments or other life events, and how to spot impairment. Harrison urged the importance of addressing these issues humanely and with dignity while protecting the employer from potential lawsuits.
When Harrison concluded, Jones took the stage to address sustainability in the industry and how it's here to stay. So to keep up, Jones said, it is imperative that businesses create and have a sustainability plan in place.
"You need to have a sustainability program in place, start small, build momentum, and engage your workforce. Your workforce is critical to your success," Jones said.
As more and more companies claim to be sustainable, Jones also urged that businesses should consider a method for measuring or documenting their sustainable practices to help reach their environmental commitments and gain client trust.
Strategies for Doing "Must Do's"
In the event’s final general session, Denise Gustavson, editorial director at NAPCO Media, invited a panel of imaging professionals to the stage – Chip Basse of Albert Basse Associates, Dean DeMarco of Middlestreet Graphics and Displays, and Brian Hite of Image Options, to discuss “must do” topics outlined in PRINTING United Alliance’s recent State of the Industry Report.
A discussion panel highlighted "must do" steps and priorities for wide-format businesses.
One key topic addressed was change management. DeMarco said managers should expect resistance to change and should address that resistance through effective communication and by gaining feedback from those who will be subject to change. Hite reinforced that notion, stating that feedback and communication are essential. He urges not sudden, global change, but gradual, incremental change – taking a few steps at a time. “Baby steps,” he clarified, “but also with clearly defined deadlines for this stuff.” In managing change at his company, Basse, said effective training, member involvement, and utilizing internal “change agents” can be paramount.
In addition to its discussion of change management, the panel discussed the “getting things done” mindset, which emphasizes capturing tasks, clarifying actions, and regular review; and risk management and ways to address it.
Time for Recognition (and Fun)
A comedic magic performance marked the end of the Summit.
The intense three-day Summit ended with a seated dinner, entertainment by a comedic magician, awards recognizing exemplary case studies by event sponsors, and recognition of an exemplary attendee, selected by members of the Summit advisory committee. That award went to Ann Marie Lentz of Serigraph (West Bend, Wisconsin).
The dinner was a final opportunity for attendees to solidify connections, share future strategies, and enjoy time together.
About the Wide-Format Summit
The Wide-format Summit is a free, all-inclusive experience for qualified attendees – senior managers and business executives who want to understand how current and future wide-format printing technology, software and solutions will impact their business and investment decisions. This summit offers strategic-level insights into what printing industry leaders can do to improve and optimize their business.
The 2025 Wide-Format Summit is scheduled to take place July 21-23 in Miami, Florida.
For more information, visit wideformatsummit.com
