INFO*FLEX Show Preview: Full Speed Ahead
- Published: April 01, 2011, By By Claudia Hine, Managing Editor
The Flexographic Technical Assn. (FTA), Ronkonkoma, NY, expects some 1,600 flexographers in Indianapolis, IN, for its annual forum and INFO*FLEX show. The forum will be held May 1-4 at the JW Marriott, and the exhibition will be held May 2-3 at the Indiana Convention Center.
According to Jay Kaible, director of business development, “INFO*FLEX, now in its 29th year, will be the most successful event to date. In 2010 we added numerous networking events to the show floor to enhance both attendee and exhibitor experiences.
“For 2011 we plan on refining the networking opportunities while enhancing the Presentation Theater to include the latest technologies in package printing/converting. The goal is to give attendees valuable information that they can implement immediately upon returning to the office, while at the same time giving exhibitors the best ROI in the industry.”
Networking Opportunities
INFO*FLEX bills itself as the year's No. 1 packaging/printing/converting networking event in North America. Attendees will represent a broad range of industries, including envelope, corrugated/preprint, flexible packaging, folding carton, tag/label, towel/napkin, and more.
The show will host a complimentary luncheon on Monday, May 2, and a Social Networking Event on Tuesday, May 3. Converters and consumer product company attendees are eligible for the “Suitcase Stuffed with Cash” and Apple iPad giveaway, courtesy of FTA and its sponsors.
Prior to the show on Saturday, April 30, the J.P. Buckley Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. Men and women of all skill levels are invited to participate.
Forum 2011
FTA says this year's conference sessions are designed to have you rethink how you produce packaging. To that end, sessions will include the latest flexo printing techniques, color consistency, FIRST production practices, and sustainability processes.
Highlights of the presentations include the following topics:
- Win the war on waste using lean approaches
- Capture the consumer — CPCs share ideas to win over the brand-conscious consumer
- Learn about spot-on solutions for color management
- Explore key trends in plates, inks, metering systems, and high-density bar codes
- Discover a new color language to ensure consistency
For more details on the conference program, see p27.
Awards Night
Don't miss FTA's Annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 1. That's when the association honors individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the flexographic industry.
Winners of the 2011 FTA Excellence in Flexography and Graphic Design Awards will be recognized, along with the winners of the Technical Innovation Award, the Environmental Excellence Award, and the President's Award. Also announced will be the newest inductee to FTA's Hall of Fame. This honor goes to an individual for outstanding lifetime achievements to the flexographic industry.
Show Hours
- Monday, May 2 | 12:30-5:00 P.M.
- Tuesday, May 3 | 1:30-5:30 P.M.
For more information, visit www.flexography.org.
FTA Conference Program
- Sunday, May 1 9:45-10:00 A.M.
Welcome to Forum 2011 | Forum Chair: Mark Coffman, Dixie Graphics; co-chair: Randy Butler, Printpack Inc.; and FTA/FFTA president, Mark Cisternino
10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.Prepress | Session Chairs: Hank Welter, Exopack; and Larry Moore, EskoArtwork New Prototyping & Proofing Technology for Packaging — Marc Welch, GMG Americas Brand Color Management — Steve Smiley, Vertis Inc.
Why High Resolution Flexo?|Rory Marsoun, EskoArtwork Delivering the Expectations — Shannon Steele, Coca-Cola North America
1:00-3:00 P.M.Sustainability | Session Chairs: Todd Wiederhold, Printpack Inc.; and Brad Vette, OEC Graphics
Closing the Loop — Paul Kearns, Exopack
Improving Walmart Sustainable Packaging Scorecard Results by Changing Plate Processing Method: A Case Study — Heather Barrett, MacDermid Printing Solutions
Finding Sustainable Solutions to Your Recycling Challenges — Joseph Meindl, American Recycling & Mfg.
Complying with the New FTC Green Guides — Jean-Cyril Walker, Keller & Heckman
3:30-5:30 P.M.Emerging Trends | Session Chairs: Malcolm Keif, California Polytechnic State Univ.; and David Bankson, Label Technology
Flat Top Dots: A New, Innovative Solution — Rich Emmerling, Flint Group Printing Plates
Are Round Image Carriers Finally Here? — Ray Bodwell, DuPont Packaging Graphics
Genetic Transfer Technology, Revolutionary Roll Surface for Natural Ink Management: Bye-Bye Anilox — Aaron Lessing, Apex North America
New High Density Bar Codes: It's Not Just UPC Anymore — Glenn Spitz, Webscan Inc.
- Monday, May 2 8:00-10:00 A.M.
Operational Excellence through Lean Thinking & Applications | Session Chairs: Jim Workman, Printing Industries of America; and Dan Doherty, Prairie State Group
Applying Lean Manufacturing in a Process Industry Company — Cris Leyson, DuPont Packaging Graphics Lean Manufacturing: Cost Savings from Automation in the Plateroom — Ian Hole, EskoArtwork
New Flexo Technology Targets Lean Converting — Mary Sullivan, Mark Andy Inc.
Leading in Lean Environment — Craig Compton, Paper Converting Machine Co.
10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.FQC (Flexo Quality Consortium) | Session Chairs: Paul Lodewyck, Flint Group; and Jean Engelke, Eastman Kodak Co.
Standards Put into Practice — Ensuring Brand Equity through Communication — Steve Smiley, Vertis; Margie Dehm, Sara Lee Corp.; and Sam Ingram, Clemson Univ.
Near Neutral Density Update — Shawn Oetjen, Dunwoody College of Technology
Reproducibility of Active Anilox Volume Measurement Methods — Daniel Reilly, Flint Group
Flexo Printing with Ultra-Thin Plates (0.030 in.) — P.J. Fronczkiewicz, Flint Group Flexographic Products
- Tuesday, May 3 8:00-10:00 A.M.
FIRST Forward: Leveraging FIRST for the Advancement of Flexography | Session Chairs: Lon Robinson, Tension Envelope Corp.; and Eric Ferguson, MacDermid Printing Solutions
FIRST from a Brand Owner's Perspective — Jay Sperry, HAVI Global Solutions
FIRST: Proving it Everyday — Kim Madigan, Smyth Companies
Measuring L*a*b versus Density & Dot Gain — Jessica Harkins, Anderson & Vreeland Inc.
Color Communication in the Digital Age — Brian Ashe, X-Rite Inc.
Aim, Tune & Synchronize: A Look at Matching a Specification for Non-Standard Print Conditions — Mark Samworth, EskoArtwork
10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.Inks & Substrates | Session Chairs: David Nuñez, International Paper Co.; and Rick Pomerenka, Printron
Instrumental Reprise — James Ford, Color Resolutions Intl.
Improving the Environmental Impact of Printing Inks — Scot Pederson, Siegwerk USA
Controlling Ink Dynamics for Process Improvement — Ed Dedman, Graymills Corp.
Surface Energy 101 — Scott Maloney, Sun Chemical Corp.
- Wednesday, May 4 8:00-10:00 A.M.
Great Flexo Plate Debate…Round 2 | Moderator: Randy Butler, Printpack, 2011 Forum Co-chair
Participants: David Chinnis, Asahi Kasei America Inc.; Mark Mazur, DuPont Packaging Graphics; Paul Lancelle, Eastman Kodak Co.; Rich Emmerling, Flint Group; and Dr. Timothy Gotsick, MacDermid Printing Solutions
10:30 A.M.-12:00 P.M. | Concurrent SessionsFIRST Roundtable (open meeting)
FQC Team Meeting (open meeting)
