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Phoenix Challenge Foundation College Competition Crowns Winners

CHARLOTTE, NC–The Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a premier supporter of building both flexo in education and the workforce of tomorrow, recently to announced the winners of the 17th Annual College Competition. 

Top accolades for 2024 are:

  • Overall Competition – CalPoly – San Luis Obispo, CA
  • Research, Graphics & Execution – RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Rochester, NY
  • Concept – Illinois State University – Normal, IL

In addition to the winners, several teams from top universities competed, including: Appalachian State University, Clemson University and Toronto Metro University.

This year’s competition took place at MacDermid Graphic Solutions Atlanta-based Flexo Xperience Center, where the teams presented to a panel of industry judges representing converters and suppliers. In addition, a highly educational visit with Coca-Cola’s packaging professionals provided a glimpse of a day in the real life of managing packaging and print production for a global brand. 

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation continues its 27-year core mission of “Building Tomorrow’s Workforce” To date, The Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a 401(c3) non-profit volunteer organization, has exposed more than 6,000 students to the flexo community where more than 500 are working professionals across the industry.  Everyone is encouraged to support the cause. Visit www.phoenixchallenge.org or contact Bettylyn Krafft at 704-309-3748.

Sponsors of this year’s college event included: All Printing Resources, Anderson & Vreeland Inc, FLEXO Wash, FTA, Graymills, Harper Corporation, ICPF – International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, JR Cole Industries Inc, MacDermid Graphics Solutions, Mark Andy, PCMC, Sun Chemical Corp, Tesa Tape and TLMI.

Regarding this year’s competition, Foundation Chairman Bettlyyn Krafft said, “I continue to be inspired, impressed and frankly just excited to see the number of participants. It shows that skilled trades are needed and there is growing interest in flexo, label and package printing. This is why I do this, to help and watch these students thrive!!”