They number over 1,300 and have come from the U.S. and Canada, the UK and Europe, and the far side of the Pacific. They are gathered here this week in Orlando at the fourth annual Dscoop conference, the alliance of HP digital press and printer owners and some 65 equipment and software vendors. Pre-conference sessions on Thursday have been packed with people and the full conference doesn't even begin until Friday. Some print providers have brought as many as eight of their team to learn and network with peers and even competitors. Many have been coming to this gathering that began with just 350 attendees just four years ago to be what just may be the single most engaging community of print providers and vendors in this industry.

The key word is "community." Print providers and the execs from HP and the other partner companies alike all say the secret sauce of Dscoop is the sense of community that pervades this gathering. Everyone is sharing ideas, knowledge and experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and an awareness that everyone is facing the same economic uncertainties. But within that reality is another that it does no good to sit and worry about what might or might not be, but that success comes from collaborating, sharing and networking with others and finding ways to move forward, make intelligent use of technology, to succeed in the present economy, and begin positioning their businesses for the time when the economy comes back.

Dscoop, even in these days when the mass media paints a dark picture of our future, is a superb example of the kind of approach and attitude every business should adopt. Everyone is positive and looking forward to finding ways to work together to and succeed. This is what a conference is supposed to like, but how so few really are. Dscoop rocks.

Editor's note: For an in depth report with comments from Dscoop Chairman Chris Petro and HP’s Francis McMahon see Dscoop4 Exceeds Expectations at WhatTheyThink.com