The Wide-Format Summit: A High Value Event for High-Performing Businesses

Now in its fourth year, the annual Wide-Format Summit, presented jointly by Wide-format Impressions and PRINTING United Alliance, has become a not-to-be-missed opportunity for wide-format producers seeking to grow their businesses.

The Summit, which provides qualifying attendees with two-and-a-half days of intensive learning, consultation, discovery, and networking, focuses on connecting wide-format producers with the equipment and solutions they need and providing them with deep insight to help them determine their paths forward. This year’s event, taking place at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa (Miami, Florida), July 29-31, features an expertly curated agenda, kicked off by keynote presenter and conference chair Marco Boer, vice president at I.T. Strategies.

Why the Wide-Format Summit is Different

“It’s a very intense two and a half days,” David Pesko, executive vice president of business development, hosted events with PRINTING United Alliance, says about the Wide-Format Summit. “When attendees are on-site, they’re involved in a lot of things. It’s the most productive use of their time.” Pesko says a strong part of what brings value to the event is that it’s different than a traditional conference, which he says features more one-way communication.

The Summit format, he continues, is more interactive, more immersive. “Some say it’s the most valuable event they’ve ever attended,” he says. “They get to sit next to peers who are both like-minded and like-level.” They are decision-makers.

He says the Wide-Format Summit is such a sought-after event because organizers have designed it to “bring value,” not only for attendees but also for event sponsors. It creates a symbiotic relationship: Attendees seek knowledge and networking, and sponsors seek to build relationships and feed their client pipeline. The event format forces interaction among both groups, Pesko adds. Everyone participates and benefits.

“For us, and I think for many others attending, the Wide-Format Summit brings continued growth within our community. This community spirit, and the growth of working together and sharing content, is so impactful. The collaboration of ideas allows for us as individuals and as teams to continuously develop our integrated strategies for our internal business, but also for our customers. Having been involved in all the PRINTING United Alliance Summits has been tremendously rewarding personally and to our business!”-- Jason Hamilton, president and CIO, Innovative Displays (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)

Asked how he thinks Wide-Format Summit attendees should prepare for the event and maximize the value of the time spent, Pesko says, “They really need to think about their businesses before they get there. Really try to go into the event with a plan.” Further, he says they should plan to get all they can out of the Summit program, including the one-on-one meetings with vendors, which are designed to get to the core of their needs and the solutions they seek. Finally, he urges full engagement. “Don’t be a bystander,” he strongly emphasizes.

Creating an event that brings high value also requires relevancy — a selection of topics that meets wide-format producers where they are today. Data is reviewed, attendee input is collected, and strategies are made. Event organizers work to help sponsors carefully craft case studies that speak to current needs and answer prescient questions. Further, conference chairs and an advisory board curate a high-interest, high-engagement, and high-value agenda — a compelling recipe for a must-attend experience.

How the Wide-Format Segment is Changing

While much focus in the wide-format segment is on inkjet devices — the wide range of roll-to-roll, flatbed, hybrid, and textile-focused systems used today — the Wide-Format Summit also focuses on other issues that have a stronger effect on the profitability of wide-format producers.

Marco Boer, vice president at I.T. Strategies and this year’s keynote presenter, says one commonality among the wide-format producers attending the Summit is that “they’re taking time to be there because they don’t want to be left behind.” They seek the knowledge and solutions needed to keep their companies profitable in the years ahead, whether that means new printing or finishing equipment, software solutions, data analysis — or even harnessing the power of AI.

Boer believes that given the stability of wide-format inkjet systems used today, it is instead software that is bringing producers substantial opportunity for profitability and differentiation. “A lot will be tied to being able to pull out data they’ve not seen before,” he says. Those companies that can manage and understand this data will be a step ahead — better equipped to operate at peak efficiency and effectively meet customer needs.

“Beyond the productive conversations with press manufacturers, I found great value in the candid conversations between print industry leaders. Although we may be competitors in some regard, the openness and honesty about what works and what doesn’t was really refreshing. I learned a lot, forged some great industry connections, and felt a newfound energy in the world of print. My eyes are open to what is possible, and, through this event, I now feel we have a strong network of experts to guide us along our path.” -- Ann Marie Lentz COO, point of purchase solutions at Serigraph (West Bend, Wisconsin)

Further, he says he sees the wide-format segment as “bifurcating,” which is to say that there is a growing gap between large producers who serve big clients in significant ways and thus seek high-production equipment and smaller companies that produce core products such as signs and banners but are increasingly seeking to diversify their offerings, perhaps by producing decals or decorating promotional products. The equipment “want” for these companies is much different.

In Boer’s opinion, the Wide-Format Summit brings three key value pieces. First is that attendees can learn about “the latest and greatest and how it can improve profitability and profits.” Second, he shares that the event is a “time-efficient way to visit all the vendors you might be looking at.” Through the Summit’s unique format, he says, attendees can take a piece of information and ask all providers the same question to find the best solution available. Last, he believes the social aspects of the event are paramount. He says it is beneficial for companies looking to grow, acquire, or be acquired.

Given his experience as the keynote presenter for each of the four Wide-Format Summits, what about the event has surprised Boer the most? He offers two observations. One is that he is always surprised to learn “that there are some very large wide-format producers that very few people have heard of. Companies that ‘are doing very well and are able to charge more for higher value products’ [as compared to commercial printers].” He says he is also surprised by the absence of commercial printers seeking to grow their businesses through wide-format services.

Boer says it doesn’t surprise him that once a company attends the Wide-Format Summit, it wants to return. “It’s become such an incredible crucible of an event — the proof this works is that people want to come back year after year. They want to come back to learn [more]. And the event sponsors need a place for people who are truly looking to buy.”

“The Wide-Format Summit gave me and our company a clear view of where the industry is headed and what customers want. Connecting with leaders and peers, I got insights on new trends and practices. It helped me see how to adapt and stay ahead. I am now more confident in our direction, focusing on what matters most to our customers. As a company, we are now ready to refine our approach and keep growing in the wide-format space. These types of events are so helpful. I would give it an A++.” Jason Ahart, vice president, production operations, Moss (Franklin Park, Illinois)

The Compelling Reasons to Attend

While the end products they produce and the vertical markets they serve may be very different, two key things unite Wide-Format Summit attendees. First, and rather simply, they all use wide-format inkjet and the technologies and solutions that support it. Second, and more meaningfully, they are on a growth trajectory, seeking new opportunities, sourcing new equipment, and plotting where they can go from here. If that sounds like your wide-format business, then apply to attend the event at www.wideformatsummit.com.