Apparel Decoration Summit Announces Education Sessions and Speakers for 2024
Apparel Decoration Summit, produced by PRINTING United Alliance and Apparelist, is happening for its second year in Nashville, June 3-5. The invitation-only, hosted buyer event brings leading suppliers and decorators together for three days of education, discussion, and camaraderie — featuring several networking activities, receptions, and breakout sessions. Attendees can expect to find new solutions and top-tier advice from the “who’s who” in the apparel decoration space.
The Summit has an exciting lineup of educational sessions for this year’s event. From the state of the industry to business management and sales, expect to take plenty of information back to your print shop.
“We listened to the feedback of last year’s attendees and took their suggestions seriously,” Cassie Green, content director for Apparelist, says. “This year’s potential attendees also shared their questions and challenges they need help addressing. We worked with an Advisory Board to tease out which topics are of utmost relevance this year to apparel decorators. Speakers were thoughtfully chosen based on those conversations and where their expertise lies. Overall, the session topics are specifically curated to speak to the hosted attendees and the caliber of education they’re looking for.”
Day 1
Kicking things off on Monday, June 3, is the “State of the Decorated Apparel (SODA) Industry Survey Data Presentation and Analysis” keynote session. Presented by PRINTING United Alliance and sponsored by Kornit Digital, the session will break down the findings from the SODA report — giving attendees insight into their industry peers, global economic influences, and what it all means for their business.
Day 2
Tuesday, June 4 will feature three 30-45-minute sessions throughout the day.
“What’s Next in the Apparel Decorating Industry?” will feature keynote sponsor speakers from alphabroder, Kornit Digital, and STAHLS’. Green will moderate the discussion, focusing on new technologies that can make a shop more efficient. She’ll ask panelists how businesses can effectively use AI, how to address staffing issues, what it looks like to automate, and how global influences affect apparel decoration.
For print shops looking to take their business to the next level, “How to Elevate Your Print Shop from $5 Million to $15 Million+” will be an informative session led by Jeffery Paul of YOUNGONE. He’ll outline what owners need to know — from organization charts and physical space to building new relationships in banking and real estate. Bumping your businesses into the next revenue bracket takes work, and it might not be for every shop. Paul will discuss the psychology that goes into it, plus the investment and business model that’s needed.
Because direct-to-film (DTF) printing continues to remain on the rise, it’s only right that it gets its time to shine at the Summit. “Diving into Direct-to-Film: When is the Right Time to Bring it In-House?” will feature a host of great minds in the DTF space, including Mehmet Ugur of Tidal Colors, Kevin Oakley of Stoked on Printing, and Jed Seifert of Stakes Manufacturing. The technology is still in its early days, so it comes with challenges. Speakers will share their thoughts on the technology, what it means to work with a transfer partner, and whether bringing DTF in-house is the right move for a print shop.
Day 3
On Wednesday, June 5, “Sales Strategies: Think Beyond Word-of-Mouth” will close out the education sessions, featuring Kevin Baumgart of Set Sales and Sales Ink, Nikki Bowen of Cotton Street Apparel, Marshall Atkinson of Atkinson Consulting, and Lon Winters of Graphic Elephants. This group of industry leaders will share ways high-level apparel decorating shops can avoid stunted growth and gain more sales beyond word-of-mouth and referral advertising.
“Attendees can expect to get their questions answered during these sessions,” Green adds. “We listened to and considered every question that was submitted and built a program designed for this specific event. Coupled with the one-on-one connections and networking, the sessions contribute to the overall high-level experience of the Apparel Decoration Summit. You won’t find this type of education anywhere else.”
For more information on the Apparel Decoration Summit and to apply to attend, visit www.summit.apparelist.com.