Awards, Networking and New Ideas
 Outside the Expo hall, attendees were able to view the Golden Image/André Schellenberg Award Galleries and the Interior Design Display. Both areas were chock-full of new and innovative ideas, again driving home the message that the way to succeed is to explore ways to differentiate yourself and your business from the competition.
In the gallery, attendees were able to view the more than 600 entries of eye-popping applications from the specialty imaging community. When all was said and done, Gold, Silver and Honorable Mention ribbons adorned much of the walls, with a few stand-out pieces taking home the “Best of Show” awards:
- “Jade” by Dye Into Print took home both the DPI André Schellenberg Best in Digital Creativity and DPI André Schellenberg Best of Show awards
- “Schwartz” by Atelier Fur Siebdruck won the ASPT Golden Image Best of Show – Graphics
- “Boat on Glass” by ETF Tekstil won the ASPT Golden Image Best of Show – Garments.
And, for the first-ever Golden Image/André Schellenberg People’s Choice Award, “Zeugma” by ETF Tekstil was chosen.
These awards were presented at the SGIA’s new Friday Night Dinner Party, which was designed this year to give attendees ample time to network and talk with each other about their common interests. The large, but intimate, setting allowed for great conversation about the industry and where it’s heading.
 The Interior Design Display, located just inside the convention center, also was an excellent talking point, and was manned by students of Eastern Illinois University’s Digital Printing and Web and Print Textile Design programs. Attendees were invited to see and read about the ongoing trend of using screen printing and digital imaging to decorate interior items such as bedspreads, wallpaper, tiles, carpets and even chair pads.
“The display caught my eye when I entered and I had to come over and find out how these chair fabrics and tablecloths were produced,” said Mary Stewart, Graphic Waves (Clearwater, Florida). “I love it because it’s giving me tons of ideas.”
Onward and Upward: SGIA ’08 
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