FOSTER CITY, Calif. –– Last week, EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, hosted more than 1,100 customers, employees and industry experts for its Connect EFI user’s group conference. 

“This was the largest-ever Connect event, and this year our customers had more access to EFI personnel than ever before,” said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at EFI. “That level of interaction, and the educational programming we’ve assembled, make Connect one of a select few conferences that provide a high return on investment by giving attendees tangible business strategies for future success.”

“The Connect conference helps to educate and expand attendees’ knowledge of EFI’s products and how those products can benefit their companies,” said one attendee, Brett McNerney, director of integrated solutions at Dayton, Ohio-based Think Patented. “It also brings together a large community of users and allows for networking that otherwise might not happen, making it a great forum for everyone to learn from each other.”

This year’s conference, which took place January 15-18 at the Wynn Las Vegas, featured more than 150 sessions covering MIS/ERP software, Web-to-print systems, industrial inkjet printers, and Fiery® technology. Event highlights included a January 15 fireside chat between EFI CEO Guy Gecht and industry pioneer and Landa Corp. Chairman and CEO Benny Landa.

Connect provided EFI with an opportunity to hold deeper discussions with customers while providing updates on company momentum. In keynotes, training sessions and informal conversations, EFI executives discussed the extended window of opportunity visual communications businesses have for growth as they adopt technologies that make them more efficient, more productive and more profitable. 

EFI’s Gecht also announced during Connect that the company will likely seek out more strategic acquisitions in 2013, continuing the momentum EFI has had from deals to purchase companies such as Web-to-print and dynamic publishing firm Online Print Solutions and print MIS/ERP provider Technique.

EFI Connect has become a must-attend industry event catering to visual communications business leaders’ needs. The annual conference helps customers improve their businesses by giving them tools to operate with greater efficiency, develop new applications and apply forward-thinking innovation. In addition to featuring VUTEk®, EFI Wide Format and Jetrion® inkjet production printers, Connect technology highlights included a newly enhanced line of JDF-certified Fiery digital front ends, as well as a complete lineup of EFI Productivity Software products. 

EFI Partners participating in Connect included: 3M Commercial Graphics, Agile Network, Bunting Magnetics, Carlson Advisors, Esko, Honle UV America, KIP America, Kodak, Konica Minolta, MBM Corp., Metamation, Metrix Software, MGI USA, Pantone, Ricoh, SmartLinc, Xerox, xpedx and Zund. 

Partner activities at Connect included a live wrapping demonstration of 3M media with graphics produced using co-branded 3M and EFI UV inks.

“3M Commercial Graphics valued the opportunity to participate at EFI Connect 2013, highlighting our longstanding, successful relationship with EFI to provide large format printing solutions backed by the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty,” said Jennifer Greenquist, inks and warranties manager for 3M Commercial Graphics. “Our vehicle wrap demonstration, using the new high performance, 3M™ Envision™ Wrap Films printed with EFI™ R3225 3M™ UV Inks, demonstrated that greener graphic solutions are available today without compromising performance, durability or color fidelity.”

Next year’s Connect user’s group conference will take place January 21-24, 2014, at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort.