Welcome to the 2018 SGIA Expo

As the 2018 SGIA Expo kicks off for the final time — it will be reborn in 2019 as PRINTING United — there is no denying that at this show, there is something for everyone. “If you’re in printing, you should be here,” says Kate Achelpohl, Director of Publications & Public Relations at SGIA. With more than 20,000 registrants, more than 600 exhibitors and more than 70 educational sessions, that isn’t just hyperbole, either.

Achelpohl notes that one of the things SGIA focuses on is helping people find their communities within the print industry. To facilitate that, beyond the trade show floor, the educational events are designed to provide learning opportunities for professionals at every level, and networking breakfasts and luncheons provide the chance to forge relationships with others experiencing the same problems, concerns and pressures.

Brittany Eppley of Mactac preps a sidewalk graphic for the opening day of the 2018 SGIA Expo.

“Everyone can connect with other people who have the same interests as them, and they can learn something at the same time,” Achelpohl says. “We have terrific speakers at every event.”

That approach has paid off in previous years, with many returning year after year to experience the breadth and depth of content and information the SGIA Expo provides. “I first decided to attend the Expo based on its reputation for being a great place/show to be educated on our ever-changing industry,” notes Craig Dickens, VP/Sales Manager, Suntex Industries. “I’m returning this year for a second time for the new equipment and education and to build relationships. I look forward to seeing the technology and any advances in the printing world.”

“This is my fourth time attending, and I never come away not learning something new or making a contact with a new vendor,” says Pixie Nunez, GM, ARI Graphix, a division of Albuquerque Reprographics. “It’s imperative that we stay informed on the trends in our industry and regular attendance to this show keeps us up to date. We have been successful developing our wide-format division, while the reprographics division stays steady — and it’s because of the information I have gathered at the Expo events.”

Innovative Enhancements

One of the biggest draws at the 2018 SGIA Expo is, undoubtably, the show floor itself, where exhibitors from every segment of the print world have gathered to demonstrate the latest and greatest advancements they have to offer.

For some who attend, this is one of the main reasons they come back year after year. “I’m at the 2018 SGIA Expo to find additional vendors,” says David Huk, President of Huk Printing. “We need solutions for finishing, and this is a great format to identify which media we want as our ‘go to’ material. We chose the Expo because of the extensiveness of suppliers, exhibits (for hands-on experience) and educators. This will be our third time at the Expo. If you are serious about wide-format, and want to expand your horizontal base, this show needs to be attended at least every other year. This market is evolving rapidly.”

But the excitement isn’t limited to those who are attending as registrants. The exhibitors see just as much value, and this year many are excited about the technologies and solutions they are bringing to share with the industry.

“SGIA provides a wonderful opportunity for attendees to see the engines they’ve been researching up close and in action,” says Deborah Hutcheson, Director of Marketing, Agfa Graphics North America. “Our goal is to educate prospects on how we deliver extreme productivity with extreme quality.”

“It’s never an overwhelming or dramatic change in our industry that draws my attention, it’s simply the ongoing progression of speed and quality that is so striking,” notes Larry D’Amico, Sales Director-North America at Durst Image Technology US. “We are showing the new P5 with a 5 picoliter droplet with a print speed that is best in class. This is just one example of the continued development in our industry. As these printers advance in capability they will also continue to replace applications that were previously printed using analog technology, accelerating the shift to digital.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to show how Mimaki products create goods you interact with every day,” says Scott Champeau, GM of Sales & Marketing at Mimaki USA. “Our booth will showcase many items that consumers take for granted, but have a Mimaki touch to them. From signage to decorative to textile printed goods, our intention is to broaden the imaginations of anyone who steps into the world of Mimaki.”

“We’re very excited to be back at SGIA and will be debuting our exciting new HP Latex R Series printers for the North American audience,” notes Dave Prezzano, VP and GM of the HP Americas Graphics Solutions business. “Don’t miss the Surf Shop and Tiki Bar at the HP booth, where we’ll demo our newest applications, samples and displays.”

“Fujifilm is eager for the North American debut of the all-new, superwide UV platform at 2018 SGIA Expo,” says Becky McConnell, Product Marketing Manager, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. “This remarkable press will appeal to industry professionals with its higher productions speeds, photographic-like quality and overall versatility.”

App-tacular Opportunities

With so much to see and learn about, getting the most out of the 2018 SGIA Expo could be challenging. That is why this year’s SGIA Expo App (available on both the Google Play and iTunes app stores) is such a crucial tool for every single registrant, be they attendee or exhibitor.

“Everyone who attends needs to download the app,” Achelpohl stresses. “That is how you’re going to navigate the show and it will be the mechanism for planning your time. We aren’t printing a directory this year, so the app will serve as a place to find every exhibitor and learn more about them. It is also the place where you can access conference handouts from the educational sessions.” The app also features an interactive calendar that can be shared, as well as the ability to make your profile public, allowing you to connect directly with other attendees at the event in real time. The app can be found directly through the respective app stores, or via QR codes on posters found around the show floor.

The 2018 SGIA Expo is all about exploring the next horizon of your business. It is about experiencing what technologies and trends will impact the future of printing firsthand, sparking new ideas and innovations you can bring home to your own business. Print is a vibrant, living world, and this show encapsulates the very best of it. Make the most out of this coming week — you, and your business, will be much richer for the opportunities you find here.