Join Barbra Bannon of Evolution Consulting for a unique look at online and social marketing, and find out how your company can benefit. This cant-miss Online Workshop Series will focus on:

• Crafting a stellar value proposition statement and determining your company culture.
• Nurturing your brand and creating a positive customer experience.
• Building a solid foundation for a successful online marketing campaign.
• The influence of social media and how it fits with your business plan.

The program is based on Bannon’s recent book, How to Be an Online Marketing Rock Star, published by SGIA. Attendees who register by May 25 will receive a free copy of the book, delivered in advance of the series. Participants who register after May 25 will receive a PDF copy of the book prior to the start of the of the series.

Review the complete program schedule and register now!

Hart Consulting Services and SGIA have partnered to present “Positioning Your Business for Success in Retail Channels.” This exciting and timely Workshop (Los Angeles, June 19-20) will help graphic imaging companies successfully operate in and benefit from opportunities in retail and branded environments.

This Workshop will focus on:

• Understanding retail in today’s marketplace
• Aligning your core services and processes with the needs of retailers
• Streamlining your program management strategies and tools
• Building value-added partnerships
• Applying these strategies to increase sales

Check out the Workshop agenda and register today.
We look forward to seeing you in LA!

New for 2012, SGIA is introducing the Color Management Theater, a non-sales area of the Expo floor where industry experts will relay tips, techniques and tricks for managing color. Also new for the 2012 Expo is the Photo Imaging Pavilion, designed to bring those who specialize in photo imaging together in one location.

And what would it be without the Expo-exclusive Zones. Whether you need more info about the latest digital technologies for garment decorating, or hope to achieve PDAA Master Certification, one of these non-sales educational areas will help you take your business to the next level:

•    Digital Apparel Production Zone
•    PDAA Graphics Application Zone
•    Screen Printed Apparel Training Zone
•    Industrial and Printed Electronics Zone

But that’s not all! Expand your education, with the Printed Electronics and Membrane Switch Symposium, held, for the first time ever, in conjunction with the Expo. And remember, it’s not a sin to socialize at SGIA. It is Vegas, after all. Relax over drinks with old friends, or new connections, and maybe hit the jackpot for your business at SGIA’s can’t-miss networking events.

Register now for your free Expo pass!

“Changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard will impact our entire membership. Basically, chemical manufacturers need to implement a new labeling and hazard determination protocol, and imaging facilities need to change their training to incorporate information on the new labeling, MSDS criteria. SGIA intends to provide updates on this critical regulatory action, as well as training tools for the entire membership,” said Kinter.

The following provides a summary of the major changes:

• Hazard classification: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import. Hazard classification under the new, updated standard provides specific criteria to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical mixtures.
• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
• Safety Data Sheets: The new format requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in presentation of important protection information.
• Information and training: To facilitate understanding of the new system, the standard requires that workers be trained by December 1, 2013 on the new label elements and safety data sheet format, in addition to the current training requirements.

Stay up to date on this issue with SGIA’s Printer Action Committee.

The 2012 SGIA Expo is heading to Vegas this year (October 18-20) to offer the best spot for wide-format, graphics application, garment decoration, screen, digital and more. So come on, plan now to indulge in three jam-packed days of technology, education and networking!

New for 2012, SGIA is introducing the all-new Color Management Theater, a non-sales area on the Expo floor where industry experts will relay tips, techniques and tricks for managing color. Also new for the 2012 Expo is the Photo Imaging Pavilion, designed to bring those who specialize in photo imaging together in one location.

And what would it be without the Expo-exclusive Zones. Whether you need more info about the latest digital technologies for garment decorating, or looking to achieve PDAA Master Certification, one of these non-sales educational areas will help you take your business to the next level:

• Digital Apparel Production Zone
• PDAA Graphics Application Zone
• Screen Printed Apparel Training Zone

But wait, there’s more! For the first time ever, SGIA’s Printed Electronics and Membrane Switch Symposium will be held in conjunction with the Expo. By hosting the event alongside the Expo (instead of the spring), participants will have access to more manufacturers and suppliers offering products and services important to their business. The educational program will encompass high-level presentations, designed to provide attendees with the latest technology developments in advanced production methods employed for printed electronics and membrane switch manufacturers.

Already counting down the days? RSVP to the SGIA Expo LinkedIn event to stay on top of the latest updates. And sign up now to be notified when registration opens.

See you in Sin City!

Before making an equipment purchase for your specialty imaging business, check out these SGIA member-exclusive reports, which offer objective information about the latest digital devices on the market.

SGIA’s technical experts prepare thorough evaluations of each system and then turn the findings into easy-to-read reports that offer a clear description of the equipment across manufacturers. Take advantage of unbiased data, compare devices side-by-side, discover new capabilities and view test images printed by SGIA staff for each machine. Reports show significant comparisons of a variety of digital devices and will ultimately help members buy with confidence.

New Digital Equipment Evaluations were just released for a variety of products, check them out now! Not an SGIA member? Learn more about SGIA member benefits, including access to all of the Digital Equipment Evaluations.

The Business Development Conference (Chicago, May 15–16) offers the perfect mix of case studies and industry expertise to help imagers increase profitability in the marketplace. Learn how to:

• Build customer loyalty and forge the right partnerships for increased profitability
• Add value and take your existing partnerships to the next level
• Integrate proven tactics and goals into your branded campaigns
• Successfully navigate into new markets
• Identify critical factors that drive the procurement processes and ways vendors could improve

Don’t miss out how to become the perfect print provider!
Register now for SGIA’s Business Development Conference.

Check out the company’s SGIA Plant Tour to see how they are merging old and new technology to create non-tactile switches, using digital flatbed cutters to precisely cut flexible materials, running screen printing presses to print conductive traces for membrane circuits and graphic overlays, and much more.

Printed Electronics & Membrane Switch Symposium Heads to Vegas
And, in case you haven’t heard already, SGIA’s one-of-a-kind Printed Electronics and Membrane Switch Symposium (usually held in the spring) will now be integrated into the annual SGIA Expo (Las Vegas, October 18–20).

Planning for the educational program is well underway! We’ve received a lot of presentation topics from industry experts and look forward to offering a well-rounded and timely educational program for the printed electronics and membrane switch community during the SGIA Expo. Check SGIA.org often for more details leading up to this can’t-miss event.

1. Benchmark Your Business: Use SGIA’s exclusive Benchmarking Reports, which provide detailed industry data and expert analysis to help you gauge your business, make educated projections and compare trends in the industry.
2. Optimize Your Technology & Equipment: Compare and contrast the latest technology using our Inkjet Printer Search and comparison tools. Get member pricing (translation: significant discounts) on educational opportunities, such as workshops, classes and Expo sessions, and get member-only access to SGIA’s industry experts. Read about technology integration, plant layouts, production workflow and efficiency in the industry’s most trusted publication, the SGIA Journal.
3. Be the “First to Know” with Regulatory Alerts: Avoid costly fines, penalties and red tape with guidance from SGIA. We’re on top of imaging-related legislation and regulations that might impact your business.
4. Save Time & Money with SGIA’s Group Buying Power: SGIA has negotiated discounted rates and bottom-line savings on necessities, such as: YRC, FedEx, hotels and Nazdar G7 consulting.

Let the “life changing” begin. Join SGIA now >

If you’re just starting out in the imaging industry and are not producing/selling specialty imaging quite yet, becoming an SGIA subscriber may be the way to go. This option is for professionals who need access to the SGIA Information Network (aka our website) and the SGIA Journal.

“Digital technologies are enabling shops to accept short run, custom orders from customers, which translates into higher margins when compared to traditional decorating methods,” said Johnny Shell, SGIA’s vice president of technical services.

Learn from the experts, including: Chris Bernet of Vapor Apparel/Source Substrates, Nick Buettner of Arjowiggins, and Steve Hobbs of Brother International Corporation. These industry leaders will present detailed information about:

• Major digital platforms
• Capabilities and limitations
• Hardware requirements
• Proper layout and environmental considerations
• Sample business models and accurate costing
• Critical requirements for success
• Secret workflow tips and techniques

Whether you’re starting a new business or expanding your capabilities, this is a can’t-miss Workshop for every garment decorating company. Plus, it’s only two days; we promise you’ll still have energy to indulge in some of the local cuisine.

Space is limited! Register now.