Screen Printing - August/September 2016 - 29

sp: What are you hoping to accomplish at the expo? What will you do in terms of preparation to accomplish this? Cb: We are looking for new workflow systems and we need to identify our next dye-sublimation printer platform. tb: We anticipate making final decisions on enterprise software and print and finishing technologies that we've been following since the European announcements. SGIA also provides an opportunity to have the manufacturers' senior management on hand for more complex transactions. DK: VMS has a working strategic plan that is created by the senior management team annually with input from the entire staff. After our SWOT analysis, we create our strategic goals with key result measures that have specific action steps. When we go to SGIA, we know what we're looking for. However, that's only half the goal. The other half is to roam the show for new ideas, innovations, and out-ofthe-box thinking that we can incorporate at VMS. --- sp: SGIA is launching the first-ever Garment Decorator's Conference, with topics ranging from stencilmaking and polyester printing to DTG and wearable electronics. Anything you're hoping to learn this year? Are you keeping an eye on evolving technologies? production or workflow standpoint in particular. Even if staff don't attend, I believe it's important that they feel informed about the decisions that are made and why. Cb: This conference reinforces our commitment to garment printing as an industry segment. We hear owners in this community talk about the need for more business management and sales-related topics. I'll be presenting on how to build your e-commerce print-ondemand business, and am looking forward to listening and learning from others. The garment sector is critical to SGIA moving forward, and we are committed to this community that has seen over 20-percent growth at the expo since 2011. DK: I have written an expo summary to all the VMS staff after returning from the show. It addresses our specific needs and the creative new ideas we found. Action steps are taken that relate to our strategic plan. --- sp: Most of us return to work Monday with an extra briefcase full of promotional flyers, blisters on our heels, and a slight hangover. What does your post-expo workday look like? How do you process what you learned? tb: We meet with the appropriate stakeholders as a group to discuss what we've learned and what, if any, decisions have been made that affect them from a --- sp: What's your favorite Las Vegas haunt? Cb: If I don't have time to hit the serenity of the Valley of Fire, you might see me at STK at The Cosmopolitan hotel. Great steaks; better soundtrack. tb: That's the hardest question yet - there are so many - but Julian Serrano is a great tapas restaurant; Del Frisco's for steak; and Bartolotta [now Costa di Mare] for fabulous fish and sophistication. DK: In Vegas itself, I'm not a gambler. But I enjoyed The Chandelier room in The Cosmopolitan and the VooDoo club on top of the Rio (great view of the city). august/september 2016 29

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Screen Printing - August/September 2016