Flexography’s elite and most admired practitioners, easily among the most recognizable faces in the industry—members of FTA’s Hall of Fame—speak in unison and declare “I’ve come to love INFOFLEX!” To a person, they identify the event as “a highlight of the business calendar—year after year.”
Looking back at their extensive careers, they say the show has long proven critical to staying relevant and driving quality. Why? INFOFLEX content, while both proven and trusted, constantly changes to meet existing and future needs. Among observations offered: “Attendees definitely leave knowing more than they do when they come in.” “It’s a tremendous asset for the Association’s membership, and the package printing and converting industry at large.”
Here, eight members of the prestigious society accepted FLEXO’s invitation to offer their assessment of INFOFLEX, its impact on their careers and influence on the continuous improvement of flexography and other print processes. They are: Greg Collins, Page Crouch, Jean Engelke, Dave Horsman, Jean Jackson, Bruce Riddell, Mark Samworth and Howard B. Vreeland Jr. More than one has attended INFOFLEX from its inception—that’s 43 consecutive years!
FLEXO Magazine: How has INFOFLEX helped printers become smarter, more skilled and simply better at what they do over the years?
BRUCE RIDDELL: I have been involved with FTA since 1968. During that time, I have witnessed the organization go through many changes. It was known as the rubber stamp method way back before FTA led the industry by collaboration and industry participation, to develop printing presses, flexographic plate systems, anilox systems, training curriculum and plate mounting systems. I firmly believe these advancements, and many more, would not have been so handily provided by suppliers and converters without FTA, its events and its signature exhibition.
GREG COLLINS: INFOFLEX won’t make anyone or any company better unless they put in the effort. INFOFLEX has more flexography-oriented resources under one roof than any other place on Earth, ready for those that seek them out. Its singular focus, flexography and all its supporting disciplines, is really the key to its success.
JEAN ENGELKE: INFOFLEX is the place to go to see all the new technology that is available to printers to increase productivity and to offer customers new and exciting packaging and graphic options. This includes press innovations, graphics software and decorating techniques.
MARK SAMWORTH: INFOFLEX is a good way to stay abreast of the latest products in the industry. Suppliers who sponsor each booth have an interest in showing their best and latest products. You can see a significant portion of the flexographic industry in a short period of time simply by perusing the aisles at INFOFLEX.
JEAN JACKSON: INFOFLEX affords the attendee—printer, CPC, supplier, student—direct access to technical, management and R&D people to get information, brainstorm and just connect. It’s smaller, focused and manageable size event helps too in that it is living testament to the art and science of networking.
FLEXO: What did the event mean to you over the course of your professional career?
COLLINS: INFOFLEX has been the annual highlight of my work calendar. Networking, visiting with old friends, making a few new ones; but most importantly, gaining access to endless resources for current and new work projects, and expert advice on helping problem solve any flexographic printing, machine or prepress issues you may be experiencing. When considering new equipment or prepress capabilities, INFOFLEX allows one to visit all the leaders in a given field at one time, without traveling to multiple facilities. This truly allows for a side-by-side comparison for whatever you are looking for.
ENGELKE: It is the highlight of the FORUM experience. Meeting and networking with our entire industry provided me with resources that allowed me to become relevant and informed. Plus, many friendships made will last a lifetime!
SAMWORTH: INFOFLEX is an annual update on what’s new in flexography. It’s also a way to parse out what’s being talked about in the sessions, versus what’s actually available and working today in the field.
JACKSON: In my early days, I got to meet the leaders in the industry and learn. I also got to meet my co-suppliers who became partners as the industry grew and developed new technologies. And in my last couple decades, I got to help others new to the industry or FTA get connected, learn, and feel welcome. For decades, my sell of INFOFLEX was it is the only place where flexographic technical and research people stand alongside management and salespeople. In a smaller format, you could meet with the technical, development and leadership people in person to get answers, collect information and make connections quickly. I always got a lot of work done at FORUM and INFOFLEX.
RIDDELL: INFOFLEX came about in 1982 and over the course of the next 40 years, it has consistently afforded access to, and even broader awareness of, advanced tools being developed by suppliers.