FLEXO: The most advanced pressroom is powerless without an equally progressive prepress department. What will “Preparing for the Future of Prepress Workflows” showcase in support of the prepress department of 2021 and 2031?
Gleich: A critical component needed to achieve great results off the press is great prepress—I have seen it proven time and again in my 20+ years in prepress! This session will talk about what prepress systems have been effective over the years, what systems are effective today and where they are headed tomorrow.
FLEXO: Technology has affected every inch of today’s flexographic presses. What kinds of technological evolutions will presenters discuss in “The Pressroom Workflows of Tomorrow”?
Gleich: It goes without saying, but the press itself plays a key role in flexographic print quality. The pair of presenters in this session will look at both narrow web and wide web presses, and explain how they have enhanced the way operators control them and receive technical support through cutting-edge technologies.
FLEXO: “Technical Innovation, in the Customer’s Own Words” showcases FTA Technical Innovation Award recipients discussing their evolutionary products, and their printer customers describing real-world applications. Is it fair to think of this session as “where the rubber meets the road”?
Gleich: Every year, I look forward to learning about the Technical Innovation Award winners. Given the last 18 months, we haven’t had the chance to see these technologies in person. I’m excited to discover how these innovations have impacted the winning companies’ customers.
FLEXO: What are some of the processes “Productive Packaging Production” will offer up as valuable to utilizing far in the future?
Gleich: I have learned a lot about productivity and working remote over the last year and a half—as many people have. Whether its technical support, color verification or whatever, by hearing other perspectives from industry experts, we can develop a strong understanding of what the idea of productivity looks like going forward.
FLEXO: Fall Conference 2021 ends with a group of FTA Hall of Famers examining landmarks from their careers in “Evolve or Die: Looking Back at Evolutionary Flexographic Milestones.” What’s an evolution you’ve seen as a flexographer that stands out?
Gleich: My introduction to graphics started in 1992 when I had the opportunity to play with Adobe Photoshop 2.0 (yes, 2.0, not even CS2 which didn’t come out until 2005). This ended up being the beginning of my graphics career and is a great example of how you must consistently evolve to maintain relevance.
The evolution from version 2.0 to 22.0 is something that 2.0’s authors could not even comprehend at the time—which is why we need to keep pushing for small daily victories, as they add up to create significant advancements!
INFOFLEX at Fall Conference
FLEXO: A traditional Fall Conference Tabletop Exhibit offers an intimate setting for talking to solutions experts about their products and services. How does INFOFLEX at Fall Conference enhance that?
Gleich: INFOFLEX at Fall Conference will greatly improve the connection between printers and suppliers in our industry. We will have more space, more booths and more time to connect than a typical Fall Conference Tabletop Exhibit. This will be a win-win for all parties to start new or grow existing relationships with professionals in every area of our industry.
FLEXO: The INFOFLEX brand name has a nearly 40-year reputation for matching printers with the print partners who can improve their business. How will that come out at Fall Conference?
Gleich: Both groups are excited to reconnect, and with INFOFLEX at Fall Conference, they can do that in a very technical setting. Printers bring their technical questions, they talk one-on-one with solutions experts and foster strong business relationships. The close-knit environment really adds to the networking and in-person connection.
FLEXO: Unique to FTA conferences and events is the combination of listening to technical presentations about evolutionary technologies, walking down a hallway, and seeing those technologies in person. Why is that such a valuable component?
Gleich: I have always recognized the significance of listening to and learning from presentations at FTA conferences. What I think is special about Fall Conference is the intimacy created for all attendees to feel comfortable following up with leaders in our industry on a conversational level.
The ability to have a conversation and ask questions as they come up is huge—Fall Conference does an incredible job of creating these opportunities so conversations are natural, comfortable and therefore meaningful to those involved.
Awards Banquet
FLEXO: The Awards Banquet is a FORUM staple, and it kicks off Fall Conference 2021 on October 3. After two years of virtual awards presentations, how will it feel to see recipients accept their honors live, on stage?
Gleich: I am so excited for the first Awards Banquet to take place at Fall Conference—this is an event that will never feel the same virtually. Allowing those well-deserving recipients to walk up to the stage and hand them a physical award is something very special. The extraordinary moments that come from that experience—hearing the applause and seeing their peers recognize their achievements—are only created when you have a live crowd at an in-person event!
FLEXO: Every Fall Conference 2021 attendee receives a ticket to the Awards Banquet. Why is recognizing and supporting fellow flexographers especially important this year?
Gleich: We need to come together as an industry, support our peers, our coworkers, our friends and our flexographic family—this is essential to continuing to push our evolution forward!