Conference’s curated program will cover industry advancements, trends and business strategies.

Fairfax, Va. — With its lineup of engaging educational sessions, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association’s (SGIA) upcoming FP3: Functional Printing, Process & Products conference (May 5 - 7, Chicago area) will cover a range of essential topics for today’s functional printing businesses, from a look at the latest technological advancements and opportunities to company culture and strategy.

Launched in 2018, FP3 is a unique conference for functional printers featuring innovative education coupled with networking events. Educational sessions are curated by members of SGIA’s Industrial Printing and Printed Electronics Committee (IAPE).

Among the sessions is “A View into Industrial Inkjet Decoration,” presented by Craig Greenwood, Regional BU Director TIGITAL®, Tiger Coatings. Greenwood will discuss how to leverage industrial-grade inkjet printing to decorate or embellish products for maximum durability with minimal environmental risk and labor costs. Additionally, “Direct-to-Object Inkjet Technology” with Craig Reid, Founder, CTR Resources, will examine current and future markets and technologies for inkjet printing for packaging and industrial applications.

Leadership and business strategies are the foci in sessions including “Solve More Problems, Create More Value: Create a Team of Frontline Problem-Solvers to Accelerate Your Continuous Improvement Culture,” with Jamie Parker of Process + Results Leadership Coaching.

“Our business climates are constantly changing: new technology, heightened customer demands, emerging competitors,” said Parker. “If we just maintain status quo, then our once-revolutionary products and services aren’t so revolutionary anymore. To emerge as ongoing leaders in our markets, we need to ignite problem-solving, continuous improvement and innovation across the entire organization. How we lead and coach others is the key to developing teams who create more value — for your customers and your organization.”

In “Increase Sales Success Probability Through Political Mapping,” Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Sales Trainer and Coach, GNA Training, will offer insight into accessing larger deals and opportunities through careful planning and research, and a thorough understanding of the personalities involved.

“A seller’s ability to effectively politically map the decision-making process will result in higher win rates, with better margins and higher client satisfaction,” said Morgenthaler.

Keynoters Gene Marks, The Marks Group PC, and Colby B. Jubenville, Ph.D., set the stage and close out the conference, respectively.

In the opening keynote, “The Road to 2020: Taxes, Tariffs, and Technology,” Marks will discuss how to evaluate current economic, technological and political trends and events in terms of how they can ultimately impact one's business. Jubenville, who will also lead a special pre-conference executive leadership workshop, will wrap up FP3 with “You Go First: Turning Learning into Action.” The keynote presentation will challenge attendees to take the most important ideas from FP3 and turn them into action with the help of their teams.

“The committee has been fully engaged assembling a conference that will be of great value to the industrial printing and printed electronics community,” said IAPE Chairman Thomas Bianchi, Vice President, Eastprint Inc. “The FP3 programming will be informative, educational and entertaining. Presentations around new markets and technologies and general business topics will assure your business continues to succeed.”

FP3 registration rates will increase April 6, and discounted room rates will be available through April 12. FP3’s full session lineup and additional information are available on FP3Conference.com.