Inaugural Event in Denver Keys on Innovation, New Thinking

CHICAGO - Every industry needs an influx of young talent and energy - people who appreciate where the industry has been, and can influence where it is going.

The PSDA Young Innovators Conference signaled an important truth: The print and marketing services industry is filled with enthusiastic young professionals who are driven to innovate and capitalize on digital opportunities. They’re helping their companies grow by empowering their customers to solve problems.

The first-ever PSDA Young Innovators Conference, held June 5-6 at the Hyatt Regency Denver, drew 51 attendees. It focused on two objectives: 1) Develop strategies to recruit, hire and retain youth, and 2) Discuss ways to remain relevant by innovating through the use of technology.

“The positive response to the conference was overwhelming. The energy, vibe and dialogue generated thought-provoking conversations regarding ways we can innovate and be the leaders of change within our organizations,” says Sarah Scudder, a partner and the chief growth officer at distributor The Sourcing Group. “The discussions around achieving excellence by creating clarity on what winning looks like, and determining how to get there, were especially impactful.”

Scudder led a groundswell effort to create the event along with Gordon Klepec, vice president of sales and marketing at Wright Business Graphics — the Portland, Ore.-based print communications company that served as the event’s premier sponsor. Glatfelter, HP and PageDNA served as executive sponsors.

The PSDA Young Innovators conference included a six-person panel discussion that focused on how leading companies are investing in technology and engaging the industry’s next generation. It also included sessions about new opportunities in print, tips to upgrade LinkedIn profiles, recognizing and executing integrated marketing programs, and making better decisions based on new understanding of how the human brain works.

“This event exemplified the value of PSDA and its members,” says Rob Whitman, president of distributor Innovative Print & Media Group, a Safeguard Company, and president of PSDA. “The print and marketing services industry is constantly evolving, and success today requires new approaches, new technologies and new talent. The industry is moving forward, and the PSDA Young Innovators Conference is now part of that momentum.