Opening remarks by: Brittany Onslow, Conference Producer, Smithers
Sean Smyth has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.
Sean has a deep knowledge of the global print market, and a key member of the team providing quantitative market data and forecasts for the printing, paper and packaging industry. He authors off-the-shelf market studies and provides strategic consultancy services to a range of clients across the value chain.
Sean has a strong background in appropriate application of technology to print, implementing digital print systems, MIS and workflows to take time and cost out of the print supply chain. In 1994 he became Technical Director of Rexam, where the first colour digital presses in the UK were installed and he has extensive experience of digital printing. He has written many books and market studies on the future, print technology and digital print, including Smithers' flagship title "The Print & Production Manual" and the "Future of Global Print Markets".
A dangerously creative multifunctional translator, Keenan is known for his ability to bridge the gap between commercial and technical teams, helping them understand each other’s needs, constraints, and eventually unlocking solutions that work for both. From diapers to beer, you can find his handprints on many global brands and product portfolios including: Kleenex, Huggies, Depend, Poise, Cottonelle, Colgate, Stella, Budweiser, Corona, Ultra and Bud Light.
Keenan’s experience in various functional roles helps him bring fresh perspective, challenging industries.
Brent Lindberg is annoying, and he knows it. With a curiosity that rivals George, he has a habit of relentlessly asking questions like a 5-year-old. And anyone who knows him can tell you he has an obnoxious appetite for the unexpected. But somehow these odd traits create a perfect storm for real innovation. This has become the culture of Fuseneo, the packaging innovation team he formed over a decade ago. Together they help brands find unexpected opportunities in packaging by combining daring creativity with serious expertise.
Shoshana Burgett is an industry strategist and founder of Pink Elephant Productions, a consulting firm that helps medium and large organizations incorporate Voice of the Customer into their company’s product portfolio, delivering practical, actionable insights that create a compelling marketing message and strategy that grows market share and revenue. With over two decades of experience in on-demand printing, manufacturing, and personalization, Shoshana has been at the forefront of personalized production and omnichannel communications, serving as a senior executive at X-Rite, Pantone, and Xerox. Today, she shares trends, insights and more on Colorkarma, a media platform for designers.
Jeff Jacobs is a marketing executive at ePac Flexible Packaging leading national and international digital, strategy, and partnership efforts.
He has nearly 20 years experience working in a variety of marketing, branding, and design agencies with some of the leading CPG, grocery store, and technology companies in the world including brands like Whole Foods, Samsung, Publix, Walmart, Frito Lay, Gatorade, and Stacies.
Jeff has spent the majority of his career developing brands, packaging, advertising campaigns, and creating in-store experiences before moving client-side to an established CPG brand prior to his current role at ePac. He has also worked and consulted with startups across the country and is an advisor and investor to a number of CPG startups.
He works with brands to help develop their brand positioning, packaging, and go-to-market plans while helping brands to avoid the hazards of the startup environment.
Kerry Drake has 30 plus years in the Creative Consumer Products Packaging and Point of Purchase Display industry. For the past 19 years has been delivering technology products to both packaging and consumer products companies that offer traditional design tools to non-designers.
Ed Wiegand is the President of JetFx Inc. a new print engine technology company delivering digital printing embellishments globally to multiple markets and platforms. His service of 32 years of iconic Global Brands in the packaging and print industry provide the experience and knowledge to innovate solutions for the challenges facing the industry. Ed Wiegand cur-rently holds five (5) U.S. patents on technologies directly related to the packaging & label industries
Ed served as Executive Vice President of Sancoa International & TubeDec LLC (a world class label and tube manufacturer) managing top accounts that included Procter & Gamble, L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson and others. He led the global expansion strategy with the com-pany’s chairman and spear headed new developments in technology.
Biography Coming Soon
Douglas Bugner received his B.S. in Chemistry from The Ohio State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from UCLA. He has over 35 years of experience at Eastman Kodak Company researching, developing and commercializing inks and coatings for both electrophotography and inkjet printing systems. Since 2006, he has led the advanced development and commercialization of the pigmented inks and co-optimized paper and film treatments for Kodak’s high-speed continuous inkjet presses. He is currently Director, Materials R&D, Digital Print, Eastman Kodak Company. He holds 69 U.S. Patents and has authored over 50 scientific publications.
Susan E Bailey, Business Development Manager, Specialty and Digital Print, Michelman
Susan Bailey has a wide-angle view of high-speed inkjet presses from raw materials and printhead construction to formulated systems and press side applications. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles, and undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. At Hewlett Packard, she first experienced the fundamentals of inkjet systems in imprint and specialty printing markets. Through the development of semi-conductor processing at Brewer Science and raw material design at IGM Resins, Susan saw firsthand how the individual component level decisions drive performance and market reach for inkjet application. Since joining Michelman in 2018, Susan has promoted primer and tailored aqueous overprint coatings with OEM and integration partners to provide inkjet press owners robust system solutions that offer confidence to expand their press use and inkjet applications in the print marketplace. Susan currently serves the industry presently as President of RadTech International North America.
Genara Andrade, Americas New Business Development Leader for DuPont Industrial Solutions, is responsible for identifying new opportunities requiring innovative solutions that build on the core capabilities of the Artistri® Digital Ink, Cyrel® Solutions, and Display Materials businesses. Prior to assuming the NBD role Genara led technical teams developing aqueous ink solutions for the Artistri® Digital Ink product line. Genara holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Jeff Peterson is the Executive Director of the Foil & Specialty Effects Association and Managing Editor of PostPress Magazine, a quarterly publication covering graphic finishing and bindery techniques, including foil stamping, embossing, die cutting, UV coating, perfect and mechanical binding, folding, and more.
Jeff has 30 years of experience in the foil stamping & embossing industry and has conducted numerous seminars on the subject for various trade shows and conferences, including PRINT, Graph Expo, Printing United, IADD-FSEA Odyssey, and others. He is also an accomplished writer, responsible for many technical articles in PostPress as well as in other industry magazines and publications.
James Bullington, Professional Engineer, is the chief technology officer (CTO). He joined LSINC in 2012 as director of engineering and was then promoted to vice president of engineering, prototyping and manufacturing.
As CTO, Bullington develops key relationships to advance growth in niche markets and focus on innovation in technology areas. He also is responsible for ensuring protection of the company’s intellectual property as it pertains to engineering and product development.
Bullington, who holds more than eleven patents, is a Professional Engineer with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and deep experience in product engineering devices from electronic enclosures the size of a business card to flight simulators 27 feet tall.
His background includes extensive work in thermal and structural analysis, molded design, conceptualization of new products, electronics integration, manufacturing enablement, minimizing production costs, and mechanical engineering.
Chris is currently the Commercial Lead and Product Development Manager for Georgia-Pacific Digital Print Solutions. He has over 30 years’ experience in gravure, flexo and offset pre-press, print tooling and print for packaging. Chris has been instrumental in the development of product offerings, paper testing and design and pre-press standards for digital inkjet print for packaging. He has been on the ground floor with GP and their implementation of the first HP T400 and now the first and only HP T1100 in North America. Chris leads a team of Creative, Design and Print professionals to bring solutions to the consumer packaging market.
Creative product developer with broad digital textile print experience leveraging industry expertise for e-commerce, manufacturing, and brand activations. Passionate about user experience, technology exploration, and sustainable growth. Currently exploring the development and support of digital textile printing equipment for the decorator/finished goods market. Previous roles include R&D at Spoonflower, Innovation at Nike, and Product Specialist at TegraGlobal.
Lewis has a background in material innovation and advanced manufacturing. For most of the past 15 years he has been living in China and leading textile innovation and sustainability initiatives for the world's largest sportswear and fast fashion brands. Aside from roles at Under Armour, Gap, and Stance, he has consulted for over 50 apparel and footwear brands around the world and regularly presents on digital technologies and sustainability at conferences around the US, Europe, and Asia.
Rose has been the Director of PD & sourcing at Joann for the past 3 years. As part of her role as Director, Rose leads a team focused on proprietary artwork development and strategic sourcing initiatives. Rose drives innovation , elevated product quality and intricate designs to ensure a positive customer shopping experience.
Debbie McKeegan is an award winning British designer, a Digital Textile Print Pioneer and the CEO of TEXINTEL which provides a valuable resource for the Digital Textile Industry to facilitate growth. Texintel provides open access to expert knowledge, industry insights, technology, innovation, advisory services and collaboration.
Debbie began her Textile journey over 25 years ago. With a strong manufacturing background in analogue technologies, she was perfectly placed to become a pioneer of digital textiles, founding one of the first digital textile Print bureaus in the UK in 2001.
Her family have been printing textiles since 1968 and utilising Digital Print technology since 1998.
Debbie has a deep working knowledge of all digital textile print processes, across all inks sets and fabric types. She is also an acknowledged expert in: Digital Textile Design, Printed Textile Production, Sewn Manufacturing, Web to Print software and CAD/CAM applications.
As a renowned authority in the Digital Textile Eco-system, Debbie is an International speaker, Author, Podcaster and Ambassador for the Digital Print Industry.
Hitoshi Ujiie is a pioneer in Surface Imaging. With over 20 years of professional experience in surface imaging and manufacturing, his achievements have combined first-hand industry knowledge with academic pioneering in new technology. A native of Kyoto (the center of Japans textile industry), as an integral member of his family's business he inherited a specialized knowledge of short run, quality fabric production and finishing.
Hitoshi's professional experience includes designing at Jack Lenor Larsen Design Studio in New York. Here Hitoshi involved in the development of fine printed fabrics on a worldwide level. In early 1990’s, he established his design studio, specialized in styling a wide range of new surface imaging products. His collections have been exhibited in many museums including permanent collections at Cleveland Museum, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and Brooklyn Museum.
Sensing the technological revolution that was on the horizon, he developed an expertise in Surface Imaging, the digital transformation of the imageries on a wide range of substrates with advanced inkjet printing processes. As a surface imaging specialist, he is recognized the world over.
At present, he is professor at Thomas Jefferson University. His involvement of launching Surface Imaging + Research has provided him with the rare opportunity to research and implement new applications of cutting-edge technologies, innovative business concept and creative design to the public.
Biography coming soon!
Biography coming soon.
Michelle Courtois is an experienced design professional with a passion for textiles, product development, and technology. For over 20 years, she has created print, pattern, color, and brand strategy for the American marketplace. Michelle has shared her skills and optimistic point of view with dozens of fashion and home brands including J.Crew, Isaac Mizrahi Live!, C.Wonder, Belk, Armani Exchange, Aerin, and Nihi Sumba. She is a RISD graduate who has continued her education acquiring various certifications in CAD software, a grant-recipient and Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Michelle is based in Brooklyn, NY where she continues to work across the US with manufacturers, designers, and innovative start-ups.
www.michellecourtois.com
www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-courtois Instagram michelle_courtois_brooklyn
Gerard Buch joined Inèdit Software in 2014 in the technical department. Gradually, his curiosity led him to become an expert in color management and workflows in digital textile printing. Over the last few years, he has focused on customer training, creating and installing complete workflows for the best management of each company. Currently, he has redirected his career by joining the commercial department of Inèdit Software, from where he can advise companies to obtain the best results with the appropriate tools available in the sector.
Eric Beyeler is the Global Marketing Manager for Artistri® Digital Inks for DuPont Advanced Printing. He joined the company in 1987 as a research engineer in the Engineering Technology Laboratory in Wilmington De.
He has held multiple positions in engineering, research, manufacturing, product management, sales and business development throughout his career at DuPont.
Mr. Beyeler joined the DuPont Digital Printing business in 2009 to lead the expansion of the Artistri® ink jet inks portfolio in the Commercial Printing segment.
In January 2016, he was named to his current position where his principal objective is to identify and implement Ink Jet Ink solutions to meet the demands of the growing Digital Printing markets.
Mr. Beyeler was born in France and graduated from Ecole Centrale de Lyon with a “Diplome d’Ingenieur”. He obtained a Masters & Doctorate degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware.
As part of his role as Director – Print Technology and Strategy in Adobe’s Print and Publishing Business Unit, Mike Scrutton is leading a team focused on developments in the textile printing space. Mike draws on his 25+ years in printing, and extensive understanding of creative and production workflows. He routinely works with end users, brands, vendors and partners, both within Adobe and externally. Mike has been with Adobe since 1997 and has been responsible for many technologies in the field of PDF, color, and printing, including the new Adobe Textile Designer plug for Adobe Photoshop. A native of the UK, Mike lives with his family in the San Francisco Bay Area.
David Zwang is the principal consultant of Zwang & Company, a firm specializing in process analysis, and strategic development of firms in the fields of information and product printing, packaging, and publishing across the globe. His expertise in production optimization, strategic business planning, market analysis, and related and has transformed many businesses.
He began in the graphic arts as a commercial photographer in the late 60’s and has since founded several premedia and printing operations. His experience includes expertise in Cross Media Publishing, with an extensive background in Digital, Offset, Flexo, and Gravure printing processes.
Since the early 90’s he has consulted with many in the industry on a wide variety of issues. Projects include global production and data management solutions; book, publishing and packaging technologies and processes; remote production systems development; color management and process collaboration systems. He has developed many industry training courses and written countless articles for trade publications. He is also currently the chair of the GWG (Ghent Workgroup).
Bob Miller is Sales Director for Packaging at EFI. EFI is leading the transformation from analog to digital, and Bob is deeply engaged in the positive changes digital technologies are sparking within the packaging industry.
Bob joined EFI in 2019 and has a diverse background with operations and sales leadership roles in prepress, manufacturing, and packaging supply chain solutions. Single-pass digital printing is the third digital transformation he's participated in after the desktop publishing revolution and the advent of direct-to-plate technologies. He is passionate about international business and has lived in Kobe, Japan, and Singapore during his career. Bob lives near Atlanta with his wife of 30 years, four children, and two dogs. He loves to garden, cook, read history, travel, and will watch a Wes Andersen or Coen Brothers movie anytime they're on.
Bio Coming Soon
Clay Oliff is the President//CEO at Polytype America Corporation, with responsibility for the sales, service and support of customers using decorating equipment being deployed in the rigid plastic container markets in North America. Joining Polytype America in 2012 as the Director of Sales, he spent the first six years focusing on growing market share and introducing new digital technologies from Polytype. Prior to joining Polytype America, he spent over 30 years in the commercial printing/packaging industry in various positions from operational to senior management, ultimately forging his path to technical sales positions for manufacturers and suppliers. Notable is his 10 years at manroland where he directed technical sales for the North American sheet fed division.
Biography coming soon.
Lloyd brings to Domino over 30 years of experience. His career includes roles as sales development manager, national & regional sales manager, and regional market director. Companies fortunate to have had Lloyd on their team over the past 20+ years include EFI, HP, and Bobst in which he was responsible for sales of digital and traditional corrugated printing machinery. Prior to that, Lloyd spent 12 years at Diagraph, providing coding, marking & labeling solutions to brand owners for their products and packaging.
Lloyd’s career in corrugated began with Bobst, where he spent 15 years selling corrugated and folded carton machinery throughout the USA. Over the past 6+ years he has been providing both single-pass and multi-pass digital solutions to the corrugated industry with HP, and most recently EFI.
Lloyd is very involved with AICC where he serves as an Ambassador… introducing new, incoming members to existing AICC members and helping them get acclimated and feel welcomed within the association.
Lloyd’s LinkedIn profile sums up his business focus. “I help corrugated and packaging companies with their transition from traditional flexo printing and litho-lam technologies into single-pass digital printing.”
Michael Brice is a 36-year printing ink industry veteran. He has served in every capacity: lab technician, colormatching, manufacturing, inplant technician and management, sales and senior level management. Mike became Chief Operating Officer of Superior Printing Inks in 2000 and named its President and COO in 2003. He also worked in the energy sector and then for Squid Ink Manufacturing for two years until he joined INX International Ink Company in Nov, 2011. Michael has served INX in a sales capacity as well as organizing and managing INX’s North American distribution effort. Mike was appointed Director of Offset Operations in 2012 and then as Vice President of Offset Operations in 2013. In 2018, Mike became Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Mike has served on various industry boards and organizations. Currently he is a member of Printing United Alliance’s Suppliers and Manufacturers Council.
James is the Director, Innovation Solutions Group with Jones Healthcare Group based in London Ontario Canada, a leader in folding carton, labels and contract pharmaceutical filling. In his role, James focuses on new packaging technologies for tomorrow and their potential impact and outcomes for consumers, patients and brand-owners. James has over 25 years of experience in prepress and print production with organizations such as TC and SGSCO. With successful projects run under a varying set of global verticals throughout his career, James brings a diverse understanding of the packaging market with an eye for reproduction quality under differing print methods. James also serves as a co-chair for IntelliPACK a North American industry association to help accelerate adoption of intelligent packaging products in the marketplace.
Mr. Hoshen is a serial entrepreneur and a hi-tech business development professional with two decades of diverse international experience in building and accelerating technology start-up businesses from the conceptual stage to profitability. Yoav co-founded Water.io, the smart packaging leader, and currently leads the company's business development efforts. Yoav also co-founded Beyond Verbal (emotions, wellness, and mHelath analytics worldwide leader based on the tone of the human voice) and Superb Reality (Virtual and Augmented Reality computer vision solutions). Mr. Hoshen holds an LLB from Tel Aviv University.
Liz Carroll is the Director of Marketing at 1620 Labs, a craft cannabis cultivator located in Athol, MA. In her role, Liz is responsible for helping to build brand recognition for this newly-founded, privately-held company. She handles an array of marketing efforts, including PR, social media, media relations, as well as leading 1620 Labs’ packaging strategy. Liz’s marketing efforts helped the company to be featured in Packaging World for its innovative packaging strategy.
Lynn Consulting was conceived to help business leaders understand and tap into the incredible potential of their human assets. We believe it is, by far, the most powerful investment a business can make to achieve significant performance improvements.
Wayne Lynn is an accomplished executive and leader. The breadth of his experience brings deep insight to the leaders he works with. He is a proponent of the adage “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”. Using his training in human behavioral assessments, he now incorporates deep behavioral insights into his work with clients in developing and improving the performance of their human assets.
In addition to his educational experience at Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern University, where he holds both BS and Master’s degrees in industrial management, Wayne has the following certifications:
• Level II certification as Certified Consulting Partner – Harrison Assessments International
• Deming process improvement certification – Paul Hertz Group
• Problem Solving/Decision Making – Kepner-Tregoe
Kristen is the founder and owner of Design Pool LLC, an online digital library with seamless patterns specific to commercial and residential interiors. Design Pool connects interior designers, architects, and product designers with manufacturers using the latest print-on-demand technology. In late 2020, Kristen started Domanda Design, an e-commerce on-demand store that offers selected Design Pool patterns on home goods and accessory. She is an accomplished designer with twenty-seven years of experience in design, management, and marketing. Kristen is extremely passionate about the future of print-on-demand and customization and loves connecting with people and companies.
Guy Alroy is an entrepreneur and visionary in the world of CAD and PLM, driven by enabling creativity and streamlining production and green manufacturing.
Prior to co-founding Early.Vision, Guy was VP Products at EFI, Microsoft & Dassault Systemes. A mechanical engineer with strong focus on 3D, the programming and automation around it, and the value it can bring in streamlining complex processes.
I run the takeback, resale and reuse program at EILEEN FISHER, Inc. The resale program is a successful business founded on innovation and solid management, and it helps the company move towards a Circular Economy. I oversee business, operations and creative with a team of 20+.
Jessica Kosak joined The Sustainability Consortium in 2018 as Manager, Technical Development. She is a principle researcher, and responsible for the Sustainability Measurements and Reporting system for the Clothing, Footwear, and Textiles sector. Previously, she worked in the fashion industry as an apparel and textiles designer focusing on knitwear and zero waste design. As an independent designer, her work has been shown in print and online in publications including Vogue, i-D, Nylon, 1Granary, and Vogue Italia. Jessica received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design and Society from Parsons, The New School for Design in New York, where she focused on zero waste design and recycled textiles. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion design with a focus on sustainability from Parsons.