Industry News
Live Learning: FTA Staff Meets for Flexo Focused Retreat
ATLANTA—Three days … multiple team-building exercises … brainstorming sessions targeted at better serving the member base …a supermarket excursion that changed staffs’ shopping experience forevermore—yes all are now flexo geeks—and a demonstration pressrun with insights into what happens behind the scenes in prepress offered as well—all; of that and more happened at Flexographic Technical Association’s first-ever full staff retreat.
Setting ranged from a Publix Super Market to the XSYS Global Flexo Experience Center, on to the Hotel Indigo and a local escape room. The mission: become immersed in all things flexo.
Nathen Ridnouer commented, “As the new president of FTA, I’m learning right alongside many of our new team members. Seeing the SOMA press in action at the FXC was a powerful introduction to the flexographic process—it connected the dots between a digital design file and the final printed package. It gave me a real appreciation for the craftsmanship our members bring to every job, and how their work ultimately shapes what we see on store shelves and what ends up in our homes.”
In an earlier Linked-in post, he referred to the staff retreat as, “an energizing few days!” Then said, “With many new faces on the team, this retreat gave us the space to build deeper connections, strengthen communication, and refresh our knowledge of the flexo industry. It was inspiring to step away from our daily work and focus on who we are as a team—and where we’re heading as an association. “
“Atlanta gave us a vibrant backdrop, but the real magic happened at The Flexo Experience Center (FXC), Ridnouer continued. “Huge thanks to Becky Bunch and Garrett Taylor for hosting us with such care and enthusiasm. Your hospitality and vision for industry collaboration made a lasting impression. We’re excited about the future—and especially about creating new ways to partner with and alongside our many incredible FTA members. Let’s keep the momentum going!”
Bunch responded, “It was great having you and the team in the building! Enjoyed the inspiring conversations that begin the exciting future of this industry!”
Chris Standifer of the FTA team commented, “Two things were clear in our visit to the FXC and with the SOMA staff at the FXC. First, the tremendous amount of pride that members of this industry take in the process, themselves, and the future. As Becky Bunch explained the prepress process, I was reminded at how passionate, intent, and caring our members are.”
Elaborating on the point, he said, “Second, when Press Operator Kamil Sawicki and Garrett Taylor were taking us on a tour of SOMA’s press, it was impressive to see, in person, how much advancement and innovation is being put into flexography. I couldn’t help but constantly think about the expertise that these professionals need to take a plate, mount it to a sleeve, and get it set into a press correctly. That gets nothing short of admiration from me, and that is before I even have to wrap my mind around how it gets done completely manually.”
Maddie Knox, who leads association marketing efforts, reported that, “The retreat was an incredible hands-on learning experience that really deepened my understanding of the flexographic print process. Seeing a press run in person and analyzing packaging first-hand brought the terminology and techniques to life for me. It was also a valuable opportunity to bond as a team and help shape the vision for FTA’s future as we continue moving the industry forward together.”
Joseph LoSasso, summed it all up. “As a new staff member focused on business development, I expected my first visit to the FXC to be informative—but I didn’t expect it to be immersive. I learned how printers, converters, brands, and suppliers interact from concept to reality. What stood out most was how much the industry has to offer—not just in technical innovation, but in creativity and appeal. Great people, too!’
You must be logged in to post a comment.