Following a long-standing annual tradition, SGIA’s Congress of Committees convened on January 7-8, 2020, in Phoenix, where representatives from across the printing industry met to discuss strategies, trends, and opportunities for the industry for the coming year.
Each January, SGIA’s collective committees and advisory councils come together during the two-day event to brainstorm and discuss pressing industry issues and offer essential knowledge and guidance to help steer initiatives to support both the association and the printing industry at large. Committees then collaborate remotely on initiatives throughout the year.
SGIA committees and advisory councils comprise elected volunteers serving within dedicated market segments and include: Apparel Decorators Committee; Digital Packaging Committee; Digital Textile and Décor Committee; Graphics Production Committee; Industrial Applications and Printed Electronics Committee; Ink and Chemical Manufacturers Advisory Council; PDAA/Installers Committee; Sustainability, Safety, Health and Personnel Advisory Council; Women in Print Alliance; and Next Generation Advisory Council.
“We are at a pivotal time, both at SGIA and in the industry as a whole,” says Ford Bowers, President and CEO, SGIA. “Congress of Committees is always an invigorating start to the new year, where some of the brightest minds in the industry share their experiences, customer needs and demands, and the current state of the industry, as it pertains to their marketplace.
“As each industry vertical has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, we rely heavily on the expertise of our valued committee and advisory council members to be our eyes and ears in day-to-day business. Their ability to help navigate these areas, and where resources should further be applied, is invaluable.”
SGIA committee chairs and members were especially invigorated by this year’s forward-looking summit and said the following about the annual event:
“I have to say that this year’s Congress was the most outstanding to date. To see and feel all the support and the resources that the SGIA are providing, as we completely revamp our PDAA Installation Training and Certification Programs is truly impressive,” said Kenneth Burns, Vice Chair, SGIA PDAA/Installers Committee (President/CEO, Axis Graphic Installations, Inc.). “Becoming the industry’s leader in training and certifications has always been the goal and after this event we really feel we can achieve that. It is a very exciting time to be a Committee member.”
“Serving on the Apparel Decorators Committee for SGIA is one of my favorite honors of the industry. Earlier this month, we had the privilege of hearing from Ford Bowers on where we have been, where we are, and the exciting shifts that SGIA is making in 2020 for our industry,” said Justin Lawrence, Vice Chair, SGIA Apparel Decorators Committee (Owner, Oklahoma Shirt Company). “I can say this: I am very encouraged by the energy and effort that SGIA as a trade organization is preparing to pour into our printers’ community. Educational tools, small business development resources, industry wide benchmarking, and peer to peer connections are just a few of the things that we discussed at our Congress meeting.”
“SGIA, with its vision for the future, is making great moves to support and expand all segments of the graphics industry. ‘Congress’ was great this year to learn all about the NAPCO acquisition and how it will benefit SGIA members, PRINTING United, and all the other events SGIA either hosts or supports,” said Toren Prawdzik, Chairman, SGIA Digital Textile and Décor Committee (President, Photo EVO). “As always, a great time, with some great foresight.”
To learn more about becoming involved in one of SGIA’s many volunteer leadership opportunities, please visit www.sgia.org/about/volunteer-leadership.
