The Phoenix Challenge Foundation Competes at the Flexo Xperience Center

Charlotte, NC – The Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a premier supporter of building flexo in education and building the workforce of tomorrow, is honored and excited to announce the 2024 winners of the 17th Annual College Competition. Just finishing last week at the Flexo Xperience Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the program continues to inspire and build relationships between colleges and the flexo industry.

This years top winners are:

• Overall Competition – CalPoly - San Luis Obispo, California
• Research, Graphics & Execution – RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Rochester, New York
• Concept – Illinois State University – Normal, Illinois

Several teams from top universities in addition included Appalachian State University, Clemson University and Toronto Metro University. As with all past competitions, judges and attendees continue to be impressed by the talent the Phoenix Challenge Foundation competitions continue to provide the industry.

Six top-tier universities came together to compete in the 2024 Phoenix Challenge College Competition in Atlanta, GA

• Appalachian State University
• CalPoly San Luis Obispo
• Clemson
• Illinois State University
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Toronto Metro University

This year’s competition took place with the generous hospitality of MacDermid’s Flexo Xperience Center in Atlanta, Georgia where the teams presented to a panel of industry judges representing converters and suppliers. In addition, a highly educational visit with Coca-Cola’s packaging professionals provided a glimpse of a day in the real life of managing packaging and print production for a global brand. A successful event for the 2024 Event.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation continues its core mission of “Building Tomorrow’s Workforce” This can only be achieved with community support across converters and suppliers alike; and who are always invited to support this ever-growing crucial endeavor of developing talent to support all aspects of our industry, especially on the press-room floor. The Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a 401(c3) non-profit volunteer organization, has exposed more than 6,000 students to the flexo community where more than 500 are working professionals across the industry. This cannot be done without financial support from the industry. Everyone is encouraged to support the cause. Visit www.phoenixchallenge.org or contact Bettylyn Krafft at 704-309-3748.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation would like to volunteer judges, educators, and industry experts! The Foundation couldn’t do it without you!

The Foundation is a non-profit and has been “Building Tomorrow’s Workforce” for more than 27 years. 100% backed by industry sponsors and supporters. The year’s College Event Sponsors included:

Anderson & Vreeland - Harper Corporation - MacDermid Graphics Solutions - JR Cole Industries Inc. - Tesa Tape - TLMI - PCMC - FLEXO Wash - Graymills - ICPF - International Corrugated Packaging Foundation
All Printing Resources - SunChemical - Mark Andy

Regarding this year’s competition, Foundation Chairman Bettlyyn Krafft said, “I continue to be inspired, impressed and frankly just excited to see the number of participants. It shows that skilled trades are needed and there is growing interest in flexo, label and package printing. This is why I do this, to help and watch these students thrive!!”

Visit the Phoenix Challenge website