Early in 2018, the Association for Print Technologies (APT), formerly NPES, launched a new identity and mission in response to sweeping and fundamental changes in the printing, print production and print design industries. As part of the organization’s repositioning, the Association announced that the PRINT® brand will be the name for its signature annual event. Held for the first time in 1968, the 50-year-old trade show is the best-attended U.S. show for the graphic communications industry, attracting more than 22,000 people last year. This year’s event – PRINT 18 – is set for September 30 through October 2 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Demonstrating it’s vibrancy, PRINT is ranked among the top 100 U.S. Trade Shows by Trade Show News Network (TSNN) and was recently honored as among the top 25 fastest-growing events in attendance. “This award speaks to the evolving expansion of the printing and graphic communications industry,” said President Thayer Long. “We are proud to be placed in elite company with many of the event industry’s most recognized names.”
Unified Community
Founded in 1933 as NPEA, the Association for Print Technologies has served the printing and graphic communications industry for 85 years. It has grown into a unified community that convenes the commercial printing, sign/display, digital print/imaging, in-plant and transactional print, and branding/creative market segments. PRINT remains an important education venue for future trends, innovative technology and business growth, boosting its offerings year after year to meet the changing technology landscape.
“APT’s sole mission is to empower business success for our members and grow the printing and graphic communications industry as a whole,” explains President Long. “The industry is undergoing massive transformation, so by using the tremendous amount of data we have gathered from the value chain over the past 12 months, we have formulated a winning strategy for our event and programs that align the industry on a path for growth moving forward.”
This data was collected over several months and represents thousands of stakeholders in the printing services value chain. Interestingly, 90% expressed the desire for more meaningful in-person interactions and need increased visibility and collaboration with their current and potential customers. And over 80% indicated purposeful events are their most significant resource for education about emerging technology, business strategy guidance and connections to grow their businesses.
The Learning Experience
The innovative Learning Experience at PRINT 18, a comprehensive educational event, sheds light on solutions that are tied directly to the technology on the show floor, for the distinct purpose of driving success for the entire industry. Registration for The Learning Experience is now open with the program including 50+ sessions, presented in a variety of learning formats, including seminars, hands-on labs, luncheon sessions and panel discussions. New to PRINT 18 are special exhibit floor guided tours led by teams of industry experts.
“Our education lineup this year addresses the biggest challenges facing our industry today, including business growth, workforce development, and staying competitive,” explains President Long. “We are aligning the educational programming at PRINT 18 with enhanced networking opportunities and new technology areas to help drive the entire value chain on a path to success.” Session categories include: Big Picture, an overview of the industry and its future; Business/Executive Development; How it’s Done; Opportunities and Markets; Printing Operations; and Sales and Marketing.
Visionary Keynote By Seth Godin
To underscore the new energy and perspective, world-renowned entrepreneur and best-selling author Seth Godin will be the keynote speaker and set the tone for what will follow. He will also be available afterwards to sign his best-selling book, “What to Do When It’s Your Turn (and It’s Always Your Turn).” Godin will look back (briefly) on a century of marketing, industrialism and print, and paint a picture for how we can each make a dent in the future with the work we do.
Godin promises the PRINT 18 audience will leave with actionable takeaways that can shape their personal and professional lives into the future. “If I could put it all in a memo, I would,” he says. “But bullet points just don’t work. If you are in the room, I will be able to help you think differently.”
Godin is the author of 18 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. His most popular books include Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow. He is also founder of Yoyodyne and Squidoo. His blog (which you can find by typing “seth” into Google) is one of the most popular in the world. In May 2018, he will be inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame.
Convergence of Creative and Print
For GDUSA readers (who spend roughly two-thirds of their time working in print) – as well as all creative and branding professionals – PRINT 18 promises fresh ideas for “wow” print marketing, impactful digital techniques, seminars and hands-on design labes, and a better understanding of the fusion of digital and print technologies. In short it’s a place to get a first-hand look at innovative examples of print design and production, from special finishing effects to use of brilliant and new ink colors to interactive linking technologies, and a crash course on print technologies and print’s creative potential. Learn more or register today.
Top: Photograph of Seth Godin by Bjorn Amundsen
