Reston, VA - OUTLOOK, the annual C-level industry trends and technology update conference held prior to the opening of PRINT [and GRAPH EXPO] is always highly popular among graphic communications industry leaders.  This year's OUTLOOK 17 conference promises to continue the tradition by offering a solid lineup of topics and speakers set to address game-changing business management strategies, exciting new profit opportunities, breaking economic updates, and more.

The conference will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2017 immediately prior to the opening of PRINT 17, coming to McCormick Place South, in Chicago, IL.  The program will feature top experts from the graphic communications industry, debut a new BIZ Talk segment, unveil the winners of the 2017 MUST SEE 'EMS "Best of Category" and "Legacy" Awards, and also announce the 2017 "Positively Print" awardee.

"OUTLOOK 17 is built specifically for leaders in the graphic communications industry," says NPES President Thayer Long. "Our emphasis is on business management and growth strategies that these decision makers can engage in the face of today's ever diversifying industry."

The OUTLOOK 17 conference, sponsored by EFI and Xerox, will kick off at 8:00 am with a welcome and sponsor recognition from Long after which Charlie Eitel, Chief Executive Officer, WS Packaging Group, will present this year's Keynote Address based on his company's experience with, "Culture Shift: The Santa Fe Story."

Immediately following the Keynote, Dr. Alan Beaulieu, President, ITR Economics-back by attendee demand-will forecast the future in his presentation titled, "Economic Update 2018: The Road Ahead."  Next on the program debuting a new BIZ Talk session will be Dr. Joel Whalen, Kellstadt Center for Sales Leadership, DePaul University, to discuss "Reciprocation - Why and How Givers Get."

Following a coffee/networking break, Kim Latreille, Publishing Consultant & Ryerson University Lecturer will present "The Emergence of Custom Publishing."  Next on the program will be Sandi Neuman, Account Executive, Henry Wurst, Inc., to conduct an insightful follow-up interview with Latreille on "Enhancing Print Through Integrated Marketing."

The conference educational presentations will conclude with a highly interactive printer panel discussion moderated by Deborah Corn, Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse, Print Media Centr, that will delve into three individual perspectives on "Transforming Your Business with Inkjet Printing."

OUTLOOK 17 will continue with the much-anticipated announcements of the 2017 MUST SEE 'EMS "Best of Category" winners and "Legacy" awardee by Program Coordinator Hal Hinderliter.  The conference will conclude with Long and Phil Riebel, President of Two Sides North America, announcing the 2017 "Positively Print" awardee.