Sparks Fly at Dscoop8

More than 2000 digital print professionals gathered at “Dscoop8: Spark,” the 2013 annual gathering of Dscoop, the Digital Solutions Cooperative (dscoop.org), which comprises graphic-arts business owners and technical professionals who use HP equipment – including Scitex as well as Indigo – and related solutions.

The three-day event in Nashville this February featured more than 120 educational sessions, new Spark sessions (optional hands-on workshops designed to “spark” interest on particular topics), a Solutions Showcase exhibit with 95 partnering manufacturers and suppliers. Dscoop8 also featured two very entertaining and inspiring keynotes – one from Mark King, CEO and president of golf-club producer TaylorMade, and another from Gary Vaynerchuk, social media expert and The New York Times best-selling author.

Some highlights from Dscoop8 included:

* Dscoop University launched: Dscoop University is a community-driven training program available worldwide for print service providers. Powered by HP, it’s designed to expand users' knowledge of the digital print industry and drive business growth. The program features a customized curriculum that will span various market segments with tracks including marketing, sales, operations, and technology-specific topics. The course curriculum is primarily garnered from the real-world knowledge and experiences of Dscoop members, and supplemented by HP resources and other industry information providers.

Dscoop University will offer its courses via online as well as in-person venues. A Web portal will provide attendees with 24/7 access to course content. Additionally, interactive instructor-led classroom sessions will be held on a range of topic tracks in various locations. The curriculum will be regularly updated to maintain its relevance and value, addressing shifts in market behavior and technology advancements, the organization reported.

* The creation of the Dscoop Print Directory: A Web-based tool for brand owners and designers, the new Print Directory aims to provide users with a quick way to research and connect with digital print service providers. In addition to providing contact information, it also will offer qualitative information about each participating print provider’s capabilities. The directory will be publicly viewable by any site visitor; visitors will be able to search or browse according to print provider name, location, print technology or capability, and other selection criteria. The Dscoop Print Directory will launch this spring and will be translated into nine different languages.

* Dates set for non-US Dscoop events: Dscoop Asia 2013 will be held May 12-13 in Beijing, in conjunction with China Print 2013. In addition, the second annual Dscoop EMEA conference will be held later this year, November 6-8, 2013, in Rome, Italy,

“Dscoop8 once again raised the bar,” says Eric Hawkinson, Dscoop global executive director. “The excitement around the launch of Dscoop University and the Dscoop Print Directory worldwide has been undeniable. We see great things for the future of print because all of our members are working together to shape the industry with tools that allow our members to grow their businesses.”

Dscoop9 will be held March 6-8, 2014, at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Conference Center in Orlando.
 

DSCOOP
www.dscoop.org

HP
www.hp.com