Wide-format Summit: What To Expect

The time is rapidly approaching for the third annual Wide-format Summit, an exclusive hosted buyer event that brings together those looking to invest in wide-format equipment with those who make and sell it, in an intimate event designed to foster building relationships.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but the format completely blew me away,” says former attendee Nate Heisey, COO/partner, The H&H Group. “I got more out of this event than any trade show I’ve been to. I would not hesitate to attend again. Thanks to all the staff and vendors who make this possible!”

Attendee Louis Ferrel (left), director of Communication Services at the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority’s in-plant, talks with one of the sponsors during a 1:1 meeting, a highlight of the Wide-format Summit.

This year’s event will be held at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, July 24-26. The event itself is free to all qualified attendees. Anyone interested in seeing if they qualify can visit the website (wideformatsummit.com/attend/) and fill out the form.

The event is split into three tracks, each one focusing on a specific branch of wide-format technologies and the applications they enable: textiles, roll-to-roll, and flatbed. Attendees experience a mix of keynote presentations, small-group case studies that offer deep dives into technologies and applications, and one-on-one meetings with vendors where they can sit down and talk about their specific challenges. It’s a unique blend of educational opportunities that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

“The Wide-format Summit is an incredible event that brings together vendors and printers in a unique setting,” says Jaime Herand, VP of graphic operations, Orbus Group, and a previous attendee. “It is such a great opportunity to learn what is happening in the industry through panel discussions, case study sessions, quality 1:1 vendor meetings, and networking with fellow printers.”

This year, the event is sponsored by a wide range of companies — many returning from previous years. The keynote sponsors are Agfa, Canon USA, EFI, and Fujifilm. Other sponsors include: Acco Brands, Advantage Innovations, AGL, CloudLab, Dupont, Durst, eProductivity Software Solutions, Epson, Fisher Textiles, Global Imaging, GMG Color, Greentex, GSG, HP, Idealliance, Infigo, INX, Laird Plastics, Lindenmeyr Munroe, Mimaki, Mosaica Group, Nekoosa, OGC Solutions, OneVision, PrintFactory, Roland DGA, SEI Laser - Matik, Significans Automation, Summa America, swissQprint, Tilia Labs, TVF, UltraFlex Systems, and Zünd.

“Agfa is very pleased to once again be a Keynote Partner in bringing the Wide-format Summit to the community,” says Deborah Hutcheson, director of strategic business development and distribution for Agfa. “It’s one of the best events we participate in all year. What really sets the Summit apart is the networking. People are very open and honest about sharing their business challenges, things that they’ve learned, information and solutions they are seeking. It’s just a wonderful exchange of information and ideas.”

“We’re looking forward to supporting the Wide-format Summit at the Keynote level,” says Rich Reamer, senior director, marketing, Canon USA. “Print service providers in the wide-format space have always embraced the need to adapt and innovate to address the changing business conditions and new opportunities that continually present themselves. Being a Keynote Sponsor of the Wide-format Summit gives us the opportunity to have in-depth conversations with customers and explain how Canon’s wide-format portfolio can help support their growth and success.”

“EFI is anticipating another great Wide-format Summit and we’re excited to once again participate as a Keynote sponsor,” says Ken Hanulec, VP of worldwide marketing for EFI. “We continue to see strong growth opportunities in the wide-format space, and the innovation that print service providers have shown in not only adapting to the challenges of the past few years but reinventing their business models and improving their efficiencies has been very impressive. The Summit is a great platform for all the key stakeholders in the industry to share ideas and discuss the new strategies and technologies they are implementing.”

“We’re proud to sponsor the Wide-format Summit at the Keynote level,” said Chris Cohara, national sales manager, Wide Format Inkjet, Fujifilm North America’s Graphic Systems Division. “The in-depth dialogue between printer attendees and sponsoring technology providers that takes place throughout the agenda is invaluable, and totally unlike any other event in this industry. It’s a unique opportunity for everyone in the community to get 360-degree insights into the critical issues printers are facing and the solutions they need to address them.”

This Year’s Agenda

What can attendees expect this year? As a sneak peek, here are three of the nearly 10 presentations attendees can look forward to:

How to Thrive in a More Competitive Landscape, Marco Boer, Vice President, IT Strategies

Wide-format printing was introduced in 1992, and since then unit sales and output volumes have continued to increase, adding both production capacity and new (or newly expanded) players to compete for the available business. What strategies can PSPs take to protect their revenues and margins in such an environment? The key is to look beyond relationship selling and level up your entire organization, delivering exceptional experiences to customers from when they place the order to when the final product is delivered and installed — as well as to aggressively pursue new applications that offer opportunities to differentiate.

Who Buys Wide-Format: how, from whom, and why, Lisa Cross, Principal Analyst, NAPCO Research

The success of a sign and display graphics business is the result of a close correlation between what customers expect and what providers are prepared to deliver. To clarify customer expectations and the ways providers are meeting them, NAPCO Research surveyed buyers and providers of sign and display graphics printed on wide-format devices. This presentation will present key study findings including application demand trends, buyers’ criteria for selecting providers, providers’ investment plans, and general market trends.

Finding Deeper Opportunity with Web-to-Print, Dan Marx, Senior Editor, PRINTING United Alliance

Now that web-to-print (W2P) has become a reality for the wide-format space, producers are finding new ways to serve existing accounts and also reach a broader, more diverse range of prospects. This thoughtful panel discussion will provide insight into the motivations driving wide-format producers toward W2P, how the technology has affected customer relationships, and how the technology can suggest a realignment or expansion of who a company will serve, and how.

“This year is going to be bigger and better, and I am beyond excited for the lineup this year,” says Steve Duccilli, conference co-chair, and the VP/Brand Director at NAPCO Media. “We have an excellent slate of keynote and general sessions, and there are some amazing case studies across all three tracks that I think are really going to help spark ideas for every single one of our attendees. For anyone considering investing in wide format this year and defining their long-term strategic direction in this segment, this is the one event you shouldn’t miss.”

“The Wide-format Summit is an excellently formatted and organized event that provides an up-to-the-minute report on the current industry state, while also helping business operators and owners succeed in the future,” says previous attendee Alan Stratton, digital technology color manager, The Bernard Group. “If you want to protect and grow your business to the next level, you must attend the event. The case studies and 1:1 meetings are a great way to learn about vendor offerings.”