The Association for Print Technologies (formerly
NPES)—exclusive producer of the annual event for the graphic communications
industry - has designated its Print brand as the name for its annual event
moving forward. Print 18 will be held in Chicago, September 30 – October 2,
2018, at McCormick Place South.
“With the entire graphic communications industry in
a state of major transformation, we are in a unique position to redefine
ourselves as an organization and provide a new vision for the future,” said
Association for Print Technologies President Thayer Long. “Attracting the
largest attendance of any printing, imaging and mailing industry event in the
U.S., Print convenes our global community and represents our identity and path
forward.”
The change is part of the larger strategic plan and
repositioning that NPES began in 2016 and resulted in the Association’s new
name, Association for Print Technologies. This new branding initiative
reinforces the value that empowers and advances members of the association, and
the learning and networking that takes place at Print are a vital part of that.
Its position as the best-attended U.S. show in 2017 demonstrates that Print is
the strongest event to provide education, technology and value to the global
printing industry.
Print delivers leading education by bringing
together the most sought-after experts and business development authorities
from both within and outside the industry. This year’s event will be three
action-packed days to ensure a productive, focused experience on the exhibit
floor.
In 2018, the Print Learning Experience will be
enhanced in several new ways, with:
- A powerful keynote presentation to kick off the event
- New learning and education formats and topics to align the value chain
- An emphasis on technology, demonstrating the intersection of printing and digital technologies which have a greater influence in today’s marketing world
- An emerging technology center on the show floor, plus
- Additional innovative networking events, receptions and meet-ups.
“Our annual event has become the focal point for
education on future trends, technology, growth and business-related issues in
the global printing industry,” said Kelly Kilga, CEM, Association for Print Technologies
Vice President, Meetings and Events. “As the only 100% industry-owned printing
event in the U.S., our goal is to help the industry grow. We can make the
necessary investments to continuously improve the event and feed that growth.”
Since the debut of Print 68 in Chicago—the first
truly global equipment trade show ever held in the United States—the event has
offered an unparalleled showcase for purchasers of commercial printing
equipment and supplies. Following the growth of that success, three organizations—NPES,
NAPL, and PIA—formed a joint show management company (the Graphic Arts Show
Company or GASC) to organize the annual event in 1982. In 2017 NPES became the
sole owner of the event and, as a not-for-profit organization, will reinvest in
the show and the growth of the industry as a whole. These bold investments and
new vision to advance graphic communications as the Association for Print
Technologies and Print 18 will empower business success through global industry
collaboration.
