Chicago – More than 2,000 digital print professionals gathered at Dscoop6, the 2011 Dscoop Annual Conference that ran Feb. 17-19 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. This turnout marked significant increases from last year's event in both attendees and exhibitors, including 95 partners that participated in the Solutions Showcase exhibition.
 
"Dscoop6 was a fantastic event that blew all of our expectations out of the water," said Larry Vaughn, Dscoop chairman and president of Ideal Printers. "We have gotten bigger and better every year, but the connection between the members is what keeps bringing them back. Even with our greater numbers, the intimacy displayed at this event is on par with our previous conferences. This type of enthusiasm and camaraderie exists nowhere else in the industry, and Dscoop strives to continually push the boundaries to give more to our members."
 
In addition to the more than 120 educational sessions throughout the three-day event, the organization also launched the Fast Forward Power Pack in conjunction with HP. The Power Pack, an optional extension to Dscoop membership, includes a Business Development Program that positions print service providers as strategic marketing partners to their clients. The program includes a six-month training course that helps companies train their employees and customers on the power of multi-channel marketing, customized marketing collateral, a case study and a press release to build their business. The Power Pack is available through Feb. 28, 2011, at the discounted price of $995.
 
"Dscoop is an educational forum first and foremost-with well over 200 speakers, Dscoop6 offers education like no other event," said Mark Sarpa, Dscoop6 conference chairman and CEO of Progressive Solutions. "While the trade show competes with the best of any industry event, members come for the education and networking opportunities. This type of worldwide networking is helping numerous members expand and grow their business."
 
Highlights from Dscoop6 included:
 
Management consultant Stan Slap opened the conference on Feb. 17, 2011, with a funny keynote speech about branding and the power of being a good manager to inspire loyalty in your employees. He said that if your product or service doesn't inspire loyalty on the inside with your employees, it won't work on the outside with your customers.
 
Dscoop launched a new website at www.dscoop.org with added functionality, including networking capabilities; communities with customized content; easy-to-find, relevant education; and a mobile app.
 
The Dscoop Board of Directors presented the 2011 Jack Glacken Award for outstanding contributions to the Dscoop community to Eric Hawkinson, Dscoop executive director, and Leta Wood, HP customer forums manager and Dscoop liaison. Both were cited as key to the successful growth of the organization.
 
The keynote session on Feb. 18, 2011, featured Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, HP Imaging and Printing Group, who brought customers from the photo, grand format, publishing, commercial, and label and packaging segments to the stage to explain some of the secrets behind their success and ask HP for what they want. The overarching request was for HP to keep focusing on innovation and developing products to open up new markets.
 
"Dscoop serves an important need for our customers, and this year's extraordinary attendance reflects how much they want to learn and grow their business," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager of the U.S. Graphics Solutions Business in the Imaging and Printing Group at HP. "HP is excited to work closely with Dscoop this year to launch new types of tools that members are asking for as they see different types of opportunities emerge in the marketplace."
 
"Dscoop6 was as exciting as I had anticipated," said Sue Rescigno, president of Rescigno's Mailing Services in Bridgeview, Ill. "I went with the goal of bringing back three new ideas to research and accomplish for the next year, and I have come back with many more."
 
"By every account, Dscoop6 has been the best event yet," said Eric Hawkinson, Dscoop executive director. "Not only the turnout, but the impressive educational content, the new business development tools offered, the Solutions Showcase and the immense amount of networking have all have exceeded my wildest expectations."
 
Dscoop7 will be held March 22-24, 2012, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For the latest information on the event and Dscoop, visit www.dscoop.org.