The Association for Print Technologies (APT), formerly NPES, is building on its commitment to membership and the industry with its new identity and bold mission. As part of the organization’s repositioning, APT announced in January that its globally renowned PRINT brand will be the name for its signature annual event. Held for the first time in 1968, the 50-year-old PRINT is the best-attended US show for the graphic communications industry, attracting more than 22,000 people in 2017.

Founded in 1933 as NPEA, the Association for Print Technologies has served the printing and graphic communications industry for 85 years. It has grown into a unified community that convenes the commercial printing, sign/display, digital print/imaging, in-plant and transactional print, and branding/creative market segments. PRINT remains the foremost education venue for future trends, innovative technology and business growth, boosting its offerings year after year to meet the changing technology landscape.

“APT’s sole mission is to empower business success for our members and grow the printing and graphic communications industry as a whole,” says Thayer Long, APT president. “The industry is undergoing massive transformation, so by using the tremendous amount of data we have gathered from the value chain over the past 12 months, we have formulated a winning strategy for our event and programs that aligns the industry on a path for growth moving forward.”

This data was collected over several months and represents thousands of stakeholders in the printing services value chain. Notably, product and service vendors desire more meaningful in-person interactions and need increased visibility and collaboration with their current and potential customers. In fact, nearly 90% (9 out of 10) of vendors signified that the most effective way to build their brand and sell technology is through sharing solutions face-to-face with partners up and down the value chain.

For printers and print service providers, over 80% indicated purposeful events are their most significant resource for education about emerging technology, business strategy guidance and connections to grow their businesses.

The Learning Experience at PRINT 18 sheds light on solutions that are tied directly to the technology on the show floor, for the distinct purpose of driving success for the entire industry. And the money-saving complimentary machinery handling program at PRINT encourages exhibitors to bring ample equipment to “show their stuff.” This program delivered 1.2 million pounds of machinery to PRINT 17 over the prior year—denoting that technology demonstrations are what buyers want to see and sellers need to do.

“PRINT is a member-owned, not-for-profit printing and graphic communications event,” says Mark Hischar, APT Board chairman and president and CEO of KBA North America. “As the producer of the event, APT is dedicated to continually investing its profits to heighten the event experience and drive industry success.”

Long-time PRINT sponsors Printing Industries of America (PIA) and Idealliance have combined forces for years to support the annual event. “We have a history of bringing together multiple active communities of printing and graphic communications for education and collaboration,” says Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America.

Adds David Steinhardt, president and CEO of Idealliance, “Each year the print communications industry meets in one place to learn and network. PRINT 18 is the place to see and experience what’s new and on the horizon for our industry.”

PRINT 18 will take place September 30 through October 2, 2018, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, USA.