Next Gen
Newcomers to the roster added their voices to the anniversary celebration, more often than not, citing similar experiences as seasoned professionals. For example, a trio of relatively recent entrant into the industry from tesa tape afforded the following perspectives.
Ashley Joseph admitted, “FTA membership has helped with my career in the printing industry tremendously. Not going to school for printing, and going through the FIRST program, I was able to understand and learn in-depth about printing. Through meeting other suppliers and vendors, it has also increased my network not only in people but also in knowledge. FTA membership has given more to my development in the printing industry than I can say in a few words. FTA is something that I believe all printers and suppliers to flexible packaging printers should get involved in to learn more about industry trends, innovations and topics.”
To that, Courtney Lesley added, “I was lucky enough to get involved with FTA while I was in college, through the Phoenix Challenge competition. My school didn’t win, but the experiences I had while attending INFOFLEX more than made up for my initial disappointment. That was my first time attending a professional conference and I remember being so grateful for the opportunity to network with potential employers and industry peers. After graduation, I was able to continue my involvement with FTA and continue connecting with the great people in our industry. I’m now a member of the Women of Flexo marketing committee, which has been another awesome resource for my professional life.”
Finally, Keara Wingert said, “FTA has truly shaped my journey in ways I couldn’t have imagined. From the moment I became involved with the Phoenix Challenge during high school (and later on, college), I found a family within the flexographic community that supported me to continuously grow. It’s been a space where I’ve not only learned from my peers but also connected with industry veterans who’ve become mentors.
“FTA opened doors for me to expand my network and knowledge through events like INFOFLEX and Women of Flexo. These connections have not only helped me grow in my career, but also helped me sharpen my technical knowledge and discuss what is needed to propel the industry forward. Every year I am excited for the chance to catch up, learn and dive deeper into this exciting industry that I’m proud to be a part of,” Wingert concluded.
INFOFLEX
When people think of FTA, their follow-up thought often triggers memories of events—FTA’s INFOFLEX exhibition has been a shining example. Here, members of the associations elite club—the FTA Hall of Fame—share their experience and vision of the signature event.
Jean Jackson remembers, “In my early days, I got to meet the leaders in the industry and learn. I also got to meet my co-suppliers that became partners as the industry grew and developed new technologies. And in my last couple decades, I got to help others new to the industry, or the FTA, get connected, learn, and feel welcome. For decades, my sell of INFOFLEX was it is the only place where flexo technical and research people stand side-by-side with management and sales people. In a smaller format, you could meet with the technical, development, and leadership people in person to get answers, collect information and make connections quickly. I always got a lot of work done at FORUM and INFOFLEX.”
Mark Samworth, industry color guru, delivered similar praise: “The Yin and Yang of FTA is the theoretical and the practical. You can attend FTA Webinars, FORUM sessions, and read publications for the theoretical. Attending INFOFLEX is a good way to get the practical. Seeing and touching the physical products in person is a great complement to the theoretical.”
For his part, Greg Collins observed, “INFOFLEX has the greatest number of flexo-oriented resources under one roof than any other place on Earth, ready for those that seek them out. Its singular focus, flexography and all its supporting disciplines, is really the key to its success.”
J. Page Crouch shared, “The first benefit of INFOFLEX is the most valuable of all! INFOFLEX is the easiest way to meet the leaders and technology brain trusts in every phase of the industry.
“Whether it’s design or prepress, or the latest in ink technology or inline converting, the companies participating are represented by their best.”
He continued, “Year after year, they were my ‘teachers.’ As an educator, keeping up with what’s coming is essential to my validity as teacher. INFOFLEX is one of the best functions to meet the people whose responsibility it is to keep up to date. These can be your teachers, too. Listen to what they say. Use it to your advantage. Store the advice away in your memory. Nurture it and share all that you learn.”
“INFOFLEX’s very purpose is to facilitate the implementation of the latest developments into the converters’ daily operations,” Crouch decreed. “If the converter doesn’t keep up with what’s new, they will become less and less competitive.”
FLEXO Magazine
Ask James Chuang, president of Sunshine FPC, what FTA has meant to him in his professional life, and his thoughts turn immediately to FLEXO Magazine.
“It’s been our Popular Mechanics and our Vogue/GQ all in one. In an industry that is not in the mainstream, there is limited media and quality information that is available to specialty manufacturers and converters.
“FLEXO has offered insight to the industry from every aspect, such as technical innovations, current climate, market trends and what is to come; most of all stories and backgrounds of people in the industry,” he reflected.
“Each year, we also see individuals that have devoted their lives and careers to the industry and they are recognized at the Awards Banquet by being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The story behind each family to support the individual and the journey behind the accomplishments, is showcased.”
Chuang observed, “Even for small organizations across the country, to be part of something much larger and to be part of something meaningful with history and relevance delivers a message—’What we do matters!’ It affects people’s lives and helps improve human conditions.
“FLEXO celebrates the stories that needs to be told and the people behind the stories. What could be more meaningful!”
Further elaborating on what he likes to see in the magazine’s pages, Chuang pointed out, “Not every company is the same scale and has the same resources. By offering valuable tips and insights into how to optimize an organization with limited resources, average resources and for larger organizations, much more resources, it offers a fit and relatable perspective for every size organization—not, ‘one way fits all,’ but a more realistic and attainable approach.” Adding one final thought, he said, “Not every article is going to seem realistic or relatable for every reader. It’s important to feature articles on actual questions or scenarios.”