Women in Print Alliance at the Expo

By Denise M. Gustavson

The Women in Print Alliance will maintain a significant presence at PRINTING United Expo 2025, hosting multiple events throughout the week that reflect the organization’s commitment to workforce development and community-building. Since launching a membership program in August 2024, the Women in Print Alliance has focused on delivering two core elements: workforce development initiatives and community-building opportunities.

Lisbeth Lyons Black

“Whether you are a first-time attendee or have experienced Expo for multiple years, Women in Print Alliance events offer rewarding learning and connection opportunities,” says Lisbeth Lyons Black, director of Women in Print Alliance. The programming is intentionally designed to connect women in print at every stage of their career, across various company functions, and spanning all print industry segments globally.

The cornerstone event remains the ticketed luncheon and keynote presentation, held on October 23. This year's programming features professional negotiation coach Joan Moon, who will deliver a workshop-style keynote presentation specifically designed to enhance audience confidence and negotiation skills, both in the workplace and in everyday life.

Additionally, the Women in Print Alliance is hosting an allyship panel, where it will brainstorm with men in the industry about how to continue evolving to attract, retain, and advance women. This programming acknowledges that creating lasting change in industry culture requires collaboration across gender lines, and leverages the perspectives of male allies committed to advancing women's careers in the printing industry.

The Women in Print Alliance’s presence extends beyond formal programming through strategic community-building initiatives. The organization maintains an official hotel block, creating a natural hub for women attendees to connect. Additionally, the Women in Print Alliance operates an official Expo booth (3956) that serves as a community space where women can make connections designed to last beyond the three-day trade show.

The Women in Print Alliance also hosts a Welcome Reception on Day 1, providing an informal networking opportunity that complements the more structured luncheon. Member meetups throughout the event create additional touchpoints for both formal and informal relationship building.

A key element of the Women in Print Alliance’s Expo strategy involves supporting mentorship and intergenerational connections. The organization especially welcomes Gen Z women to join their membership community and events.

“It’s key to the industry’s resiliency and future that these younger women connect personally with role models,” says Lyons Black, “that they hear directly about overcoming challenges of being ‘the only’ or one of a handful of females at a printing company, and that they see the myriad pathways senior-level women in print have followed to rewarding, successful careers.”

The organization's individual membership rate of $59 ensures inclusivity for all ages and career levels, demonstrating the Alliance's commitment to removing financial barriers to participation.

Beyond the Expo, the Women in Print Alliance maintains ongoing community engagement through the Her Imprint podcast, which is proudly presented by the Women in Print Alliance twice a month. These mentorship-style podcasts feature women in print engaging in thoughtful discussions that lead to authentic, relatable, and actionable content. The podcast serves as what the Alliance calls “mentorship moments,” spotlighting accomplished women throughout the industry and providing ongoing inspiration and reinvigoration for women working in printing.

Women in Print Alliance's approach to the Expo — combining formal education, strategic networking, community spaces, and intergenerational mentorship — creates multiple pathways for women to engage meaningfully with the industry’s future, while building the relationships and skills necessary for career advancement.

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Denise M. Gustavson Author's page Denise Gustavson is the Editorial Director for the Alliance Media Brands — which includes Printing Impressions, Packaging Impressions, In-plant Impressions, Wide-Format Impressions, Apparelist, NonProfitPRO, and the PRINTING United Journal — PRINTING United Alliance.