The labels and packaging industry will get off to a quick start in 2018. The 18th edition of EFI’s worldwide users conference is slated to take place from January 23-26 at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, USA. EFI Connect 2018 is expected to build off of a record-breaking year in which early registration grew by 47%.

Touting connectivity and interaction, the event also saw a 16% increase in engagement with EFI’s Connect Mobile App, with over eight million impressions. The app, which will be utilized again this year, features session presentations, event updates and networking capabilities.

EFI Connect is targeted at EFI users, partners and sponsors looking for solutions in the following areas: EFI MIS/ERP, Fiery, Workflow, Integrated, Wide-Format and Inkjet. In 2018, Connect will include 12 breakout tracks, focusing on business consulting and product education. According to the company, previous attendees have been executive management in operations, sales and marketing, all the way to technical and operations staff in charge of MIS/ERP software, production managers using Fiery Driven digital printers, label, wide- and superwide format printers.

“Having the opportunity to share best practices with other companies is a big reason I go to EFI Connect,” explains Steve McBride, customer service rep/manager of information services at KDV Label. “Having the system experts all in one place for training and technical questions makes this a one-stop shop for anyone that uses the software on a daily basis.”

The list of speakers will include Guy Gecht, EFI CEO, Gaby Matsliach, senior vice president, general manager of Productivity Software, and Marc Olin, chief financial officer. The event’s sponsors include Esko, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, and Xerox.

“EFI Connect not only allows our customers to network with each other and participate in classes and hands-on training opportunities, but it is a great opportunity for us to learn more about our customers’ businesses and incorporate their feedback,” Gecht said in 2017. “For us, there is no substitution to meeting in person with the customer… learning what we need to do in order to make our customers more successful.”

The show floor will include 30,000 square feet in space, which will cater to new printers, a virtual reality demo center, a corrugated samples area, and a “Home of the Future” section. 

The 2017 version of the event featured guests from 37 countries and highlighted multiple new announcements, which included the debut of the company’s largest soft-signage printer and new LED, roll-to-roll printers. EFI Connect 2017 placed a large premium on artificial intelligence and big data.

According to EFI, the technological surge will reduce maintenance and downtime, leading to lower costs. “As with the developments we have all seen with personal computers and mobile technology, AI promises to create more opportunities,” Gecht said. “In print, it can drive preventive diagnostics and predictive maintenance, which will help our customers improve their top and bottom lines.”

EFI has said that this year’s event will feature more classroom space, educational breakout sessions, industry-relevant keynote speakers and networking opportunities.

Those looking to register for the event can do so here. Connect will include a welcome reception, as well as a sponsor appreciation reception.