Reston, Va. – The Association for Print Technologies (formerly NPES)—exclusive producer of the annual event for the graphic communications industry—has designated its PRINT® brand as the name for its annual event moving forward. PRINT 18 will be held in Chicago, September 30 – October 2, 2018, at McCormick Place South.

“With the entire graphic communications industry in a state of major transformation, we are in a unique position to redefine ourselves as an organization and provide a new vision for the future,” said Thayer Long, President, Association for Print Technologies (APT). “Attracting the largest attendance of any printing, imaging and mailing industry event in the U.S., PRINT convenes our global community and represents our identity and path forward.”

The change is part of the larger strategic plan and repositioning that NPES began in 2016 and resulted in the Association’s new name, Association for Print Technologies. This new branding initiative reinforces the value that empowers and advances members of the association, and the learning and networking that take place at PRINT are a vital part of that. Its position as the best-attended U.S. show in 2017 demonstrates that PRINT is the strongest event to provide education, technology and value to the global printing industry.

PRINT delivers leading education by bringing together the most sought-after experts and business development authorities from both within and outside the industry. This year’s event will be three action-packed days to ensure a productive, focused experience on the exhibit floor. Printing Industries of America and Idealliance continue to support PRINT as event sponsors, building on their long partnership with the event, particularly in the area of educational offerings.

In 2018, the PRINT Learning Experience will be enhanced in several new ways, with:

• A powerful keynote presentation to kick off the event
  New learning and education formats and topics to align the value chain
• An emphasis on technology, demonstrating the intersection of printing and digital technologies which have a greater influence in today’s marketing world
• An emerging technology center on the show floor, plus
  Additional innovative networking events, receptions and meet-ups.

“Our annual event has become the focal point for education on future trends, technology, growth and business-related issues in the global printing industry,” said Kelly Kilga, CEM, APT Vice President, Meetings and Events. “As the only 100% industry-owned printing event in the U.S., our goal is to help the industry grow. We can make the necessary investments to continuously improve the event and feed that growth.”

Since the debut of PRINT 68 in Chicago—the first truly global equipment trade show ever held in the United States—the event has offered an unparalleled showcase for purchasers of commercial printing equipment and supplies. As a not-for-profit organization, the Association for Print Technologies will reinvest in the show and the growth of the industry as a whole. These bold investments and new vision to advance graphic communications as the Association for Print Technologies and PRINT 18 will empower business success through global industry collaboration.
For more information about PRINT 18, visit www.PRINTevent.com.

About the Association for Print Technologies (APT) The Association for Print Technologies (formerly known as NPES), is a purpose-driven organization dedicated to supporting the entire commercial printing value chain. We believe in helping our members maximize alignment with their value chain partners to be more effective and competitive. Printing has been vital to communication for decades; today, the digital culture has heightened our industry’s complexity and reframed its relevance. APT’s signature event—PRINT® —answers the call by bringing the boldest and brightest innovators, influencers, and newest technology together to create connections that showcase and advance our industry. For complete information about the Association, its programs, and its member companies, visit: www.PrintTechnologies.org or phone: 703/264-7200.