From UV printers to laser engravers and sandblasting machines, attendees of the grand opening event of the Beyond the Beam Learning Center in Boulder, Colorado, got a taste of a variety of embellishing technologies. The event, which took place on Nov. 14, 2025, not only showcased the equipment, but attendees also got a healthy dose of learning on each one, with onsite sponsors demoing equipment and showing people how to use it.

The Learning Center is an extension of GS2 Awards, who not only embellishes hard goods for several clients but also distributes Trotec, IKONICS Imaging, FiltraBox, and BofA products. Owner Braden Todd has long wanted to provide an educational space where people could come learn more about all of these technologies.

“Beyond the Beam Learning Center [is] a facility that is geared toward learning UV printing, laser engraving, sandblasting, advanced classes, graphics classes, networking on social media, advertising, social media, [and] basically how to grow your business and succeed properly and easier,” Todd explains. “It’s based off of everything that we’ve learned over the past 20-plus years of being in business.”

Todd says the goal was to create a gold-standard of learning for the industry, led by experts in each respective field. He’s hoping to host formal classes twice a month, along with some pop-up events sprinkled in. Currently, in-person is the option, but Todd also hopes to livestream certain classes once things get rolling.

Onsite during the grand opening were a few partner representatives. Peter Norman, IKONICS Imaging, explains that the learning goes beyond just one single technology. “We’re showing how you can combine laser engraving with sandblasting, the two technologies complement each other … and we show the industry and customers how they can be profitable by combining both techniques,” he says.

Like Todd, he wants to train customers to be successful through proper education. “The goal is to train our customers how to use their equipment so that they can get the most of [it] and the most out of their business,” Norman says.

Michael Gas, a representative from PDS Equipment who was also in attendance, builds on that theme. He explains that participating in educational opportunities not only helps customers grow, but it even teaches him a thing or two.

For example, while demonstrating to an attendee how to create simulated embroidered hat patches using UV printing, a customer pointed out an easier way to do it. “I’ve learned from some people, and it helps me, because I want to continue to get better as a teacher,” he says. “The more I can teach, the more people I can meet, the more I can learn, the better I can help people.”

For those interested in learning more, or staying on top of upcoming classes at Beyond the Beam, stay connected with GS2.