Reston, Va. – The Association for Print Technologies (APTech^SM), formerly NPES, announced that the PRIMIR Insights Conference—its research, data and analysis education and networking event—will be held at the Parc 55 San Francisco Hilton Hotel, July 18-20, 2018. The conference brings together APTech members and other key stakeholders from the graphic communications value chain for two days of peer networking, information sharing, and education.

The sessions will be led by business and technology experts and industry veterans, including Dr. Joe Webb, President, Strategies for Management, Inc., who will provide the 2018 “PrintStats” update, featuring data on the number of establishments, employment, revenues/shipments, and importantly, projected capital expenditures across the spectrum of U.S. print industry market segments. Amy Machado, Research Manager, IDC, will present on the role digital packaging presses play across the range of segments, their adoption rates, and use applications to provide converters and brand owners with new market growth considerations and options. Kip Cassino, EVP, Borrell Associates, will explore the evolution of print and media consumption trends within key targeted cross-generational populations. Rounding out the program, Sean Smythe, Lead Consultant, Smithers Pira will share insights and projections for increasing global “Web-to-Print” adoption by printers on both a B-to-B and B-to-C basis, that will include costs, best practices and keys to success through 2023.

Two Panel Discussions, “Disruption & Innovation,” moderated by Ken Garner, VP, Business Development & Industry Relations, APTech, and “Attracting New Talent to the Print Industry,” moderated by Dr. Nona L. Woolbright, Graduate Coordinator and Associate Professor, Department of Graphic Communications, Clemson University, will explore embracing rapid change, innovating relentlessly, and recruiting the next generation of talent.

“PRIMIR, the research unit of APTech, is expanding its legacy as the ultimate resource for graphic communications industry best practices,” says APTech President Thayer Long. “Attendees will eagerly challenge the status quo during this growing conference, keen to network and build relationships as they learn to leverage key trends in the rapidly changing graphic communications industry to their advantage,” he continued.

Globally renowned design leader and strategist David Hogue, UX Design Leader, Google, will kick off the education with his keynote address, “Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation.” He will lead the exploration into how we perceive, understand, and behave within the world around us, as well as the digital worlds we visit daily. The Insights Afternoon Keynote, presented by Jay Samit, Independent Vice Chair, Deloitte Digital, will examine today’s ever-changing business landscape with “Disrupt You! – Strategies for Success in the Era of Endless Innovation.”

The event also includes plenty of time for networking during the Opening Night Reception, informal group networking dinners, coffee breaks and breakfasts, Member Exchanges and Research Lightning Rounds, as well as an interactive printer plant tour to be held prior to the conference start.

To learn more about and to register for the PRIMIR Insights Conference, visit www.PRIMIRinsights.org.