FTA Fall Conference Keeps Print Operations in Tune with Future

2016_fallcon-wtaglineBOHEMIA, NY – Oct. 18, 2016 – More than 350 flexographers gathered in Louisville, KY from Oct. 10-12 for FTA’s 2016 Fall Conference, “Improving Today…Envisioning Tomorrow.” The event contained all the ingredients necessary for a successful and productive show—education, networking, and strategizing. Speakers provided in-depth analysis of real-world issues critical to maintaining a competitive advantage. Ideas were exchanged. Best practices were pinpointed. Suffice to say every attendee left with the knowledge to help improve today and envision tomorrow.

Presiding over the event were co-chairs Eric Frank, KBA-Flexotecnica and Sean Teufler, Siegwerk. The duo oversaw a comprehensive agenda which consisted of eight sessions, two evening receptions, 29 speakers and 68 exhibitors.

Attendees praised speakers for technical content and delivery. Bob Coomes, Plastic Packaging Technologies, LLC, stated “This was a very good conference providing great technical information to improve our printing abilities. It also addressed training strategies and techniques which can help us strengthen our teams in a practical way.”

The two-and-one-half-day event consisted of the following sessions:

  • Flexo Highlights from drupa 2016
  • 2016 FTA Technical Innovation Winners Roundtable
  • Developing Productive, Profitable Talent—A Trainer’s Guide to Success
  • Establishing the Starting Points: The Where’s, What’s & How’s of Setting Up a Job
  • Producing Results: Qualify, Quantify & Control the Production Run
  • Substrates & Beyond
  • Envisioning Tomorrow’s Pressroom
  • The Great Anilox Roll Debate

Tabletop exhibitors included: 3M IATD; A B Graphic International Inc.; ACTEGA North America; Adhesive Research; Agfa Graphics; Air Motion Systems, Inc.; All Printing Resources; AMUT DOLCI BIELLONI S.R.L.; Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.; Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems; Apex International; ARC International; Bobst North America Inc.; BST North America; Carey Color Inc.; CGS Publishing Technologies, LLC; Conversource Inc.; DuPont Advanced Printing; Eaglewood Technologies; Electro Optic US; Enercon Industries Corporation; Epson America; Erhardt+Leimer Inc.; Esko; Flexo Wash; FlexoGrafix, Inc.; Flint Group Flexographic Products; FLXON; FUJIFILM; Global Vision; GMG Americas; Grafikontrol North America; Harper Corporation of America; Hell/Luescher Technologies; iCD3; Interflex Laser Engravers; Kampf Machinery Corp.; KBA-Flexotecnica; Keene Technology Inc. (KTI); Kodak; Kurz; MacDermid Graphics Solutions; Magnum Inks & Coatings; Mark Andy Inc.; Max Daetwyler Corp.; Meech International; MPS Systems North America Inc.; Nilpeter; OEC Graphics, Inc.; Omet Americas Inc.; Pamarco; Paper Converting Machine Company; PC Industries; Phoseon Technology; Polymount International; Precision AirConvey; Retroflex, Inc.; Rossini N.A. LLC; RotoMetrics; RR Donnelley; Ship & Shore Environmental Inc.; Siegwerk; Tesa Tape, Inc.; the flexo factor; Tri-X Inc.; Universal Engraving, Inc.-UEI Group Company; Windmoeller & Hoelsher; and XDS Holdings, Inc.

The full roster of presenters featured: Bill Bessett, ARC International; Ted Biggs, AWT Labels & Packaging; Julie Billing, Spinnaker, LLC; Mark Cisternino, FTA; Brian Cook, MacDermid Graphics Solutions; Bob Coomes, Plastic Packaging Technologies; Rich Emmerling, Flint Group; Jessica Harrell, Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.; Nick Harvey, Apex International; Aaron Hootkin, Enercon Industries; Greg Horney, Frankston Packaging; Mike Huey, Siegwerk; Matteo Lanata, KBA-Flexotecnica; Kim Madigan, Smyth Companies; Al Marquardt, Kimberly-Clark; Rory Marsoun, Esko; Mark Mazur; Ann Michaud, 3M; Bill Poulson, Harper Corporation of America; Jason Roberts, Label Technology; Bernard Sanchez, representing Flexomaid; David Skellie, Interflex Laser Engravers; James Stone, VinEquities, Inc.; Joe Tuccitto, FTA; Shane Weber, Bingham Flexo Services; and Nona Woolbright, Clemson University.

FTA’s 2017 Fall Conference has already been set for Oct. 9-11 in St. Louis, MO. Chairing the event will be Rory Marsoun, Esko.

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About FTA/FFTA: Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community—printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others–together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,300 member sites that represent more than 50,000 individuals. Foundation of FTA, founded in 1974, is the educational arm of FTA and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the flexographic printing industry.