Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG) delivered in its inaugural Virtual Summit, providing a wide range of content for its vendor and member partners. The educational event featured general and technical sessions, member roundtables, a virtual tradeshow and more from October 27-29, 2020.

FLAG pivoted from an in-person event, which was scheduled for the same time in Bloomington, MN, USA. Due to the ongoing pandemic, FLAG has postponed its next meeting until 2022.

John McKay, president and founder of FLAG, detailed the association’s efforts to bring value to its partners, highlighting catastrophic recovery plans, Member Connections, networking opportunities, and other contingency plans designed to answer a host of industry challenges – like those related to decreased travel. During the event, 265 registrants participated from 88 represented companies.

FLAG’s contingency plan features 39 members who are able to share with their customers and collaborate with one another.

FLAG currently boasts 106 converter members, with an average size of $2-30 million. Due to group growth and expanding benefits, FLAG is seeking new prospects that are forward-thinking partners.

“We’re very thankful that technology allows us to come together for the 10th Annual Meeting,” explained JC McKay, VP of business development at FLAG. “The world is upside down, and what’s happened this year has been amazing, but we are finding our way. All of these trials and tribulations are happening while you’re all extremely busy. How fast can you earn someone’s trust when you can’t have a meeting in person? That’s very difficult, but it didn’t stop us. That’s why we’re having our first FLAG Virtual Summit. 

“This was needed,” he added. “We all still need to be informed and stay up-to-date on industry news. We need to be connected, and that’s what we’re trying to do here.”  

FLAG has realized increased membership over the past year. The number of vendor partner programs increased, as well, along with total purchasing – a $10 million increase in purchases over last year – and member participation, which helps everyone involved with FLAG.

John McKay also recognized Hybrid Software as the FLAG 2020 Vendor Partner of the Year. The award is given for excellence in serving FLAG and its members. The award comes a year after the distinction was bestowed upon UPM Raflatac.

The event deftly provided valuable industry information while allaying some significant concerns for the future. For example, Alex Chausovsky, director of speaking services at ITR Economics, provided a positive outlook on the future of the economy given the changing political landscape. Plus, member and vendor panels offered a personalized view of the industry.

The first member panel, hosted by Tailored Label Products’ Rachael O’Brien, featured Sharon Zampogna, VP of sales at McCourt Label, John Borrelli, COO of Luminer Converting and Eric Brown, quality assurance manager, Mike Gaughan, COO of Lofton Label, and Anthony Martone, plant manager at Robinson Tape & Label.

Day two featured technical sessions with vendor partners such as Label Traxx, Hybrid Software and GMG. Finally, the Virtual Summit booths included detailed walkthroughs with companies like UPM Raflatac, Maxcess, QSPAC, Label Traxx, Channeled Resources Group and more.

“We truly feel there is real value for you here,” added JC McKay.

The event adhered to the FLAG motto of “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” John McKay emphasized the need for community and a sense of fellowship, too, especially during challenging times.

“Being part of our community means interacting and communicating with each other,” noted McKay. “Member Connections has never been more active with members reaching out to one another for various things during this pandemic. Looking ahead, we’re evaluating what kind of community we can be to be more successful. We want to rely on each other more, help each other more, and grow together. That will require enhanced communication.”

According to McKay, the FLAG team is also growing with Kody Bendele (FLAG sales manager) and Dan Bendele (IPW CEO).