PRINTING United Expo — slated for Oct. 18-20 in Atlanta — is fast approaching, and attendees are gearing up for a week of learning, networking, and inspiration. Leading up to the Expo, we’ll share a series of Q&A interviews with attendees from various backgrounds. They’ll share why they are attending the Expo, what they hope to learn, and what excites them about the upcoming event. Up first …

Upstate Merch

• Dylan Gilligan, owner
• Whitney Point, NY
• Website
• Instagram

Upstate Merch is a custom screen-printing shop based in upstate New York. The company has been in business since 2009, focusing on band merch, comic shops, and high-color count jobs.

Apparelist: What made you decide to attend this year’s PRINTING United Expo?

I am a screen-print nerd, and I try to attend as many industry events as possible. PRINTING United has impressed me with their push for making the industry better for printers. I am also co-host of the Shirt Show Podcast and love attending to get up-to-date news on what’s going on and networking with friends.

Apparelist: What brings you back to the Expo year after year?

Hanging out with friends and sharing ideas. That’s what it’s all about for me.

Apparelist: What products, brands, or services are you most looking forward to seeing?

I am interested in looking into more digital options as well as what is new in the screen-printing space.

Apparelist: How do you hope attending will impact your business/career moving forward?

Taking back ideas on new products to my team and seeing how we can better improve our shop.