“What’s so awesome about being in the printing industry? There’s always something new to get excited about,”

said Diana Herrera, AP Imaging president, 2016 Big Picture , and Big Picture , at the inaugural WFX: Wide-Format Exchange.

Herrera’s words encapsulated the aura of possibilities that permeated the conference, hosted by SGIA and ST Media Group May 21-23. Over two and a half days, the industry’s top wide-format print professionals gathered in Minneapolis at the historic Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, for an exciting lineup of speakers and panelists, myriad networking and roundtable opportunities, and a chance to converge with industry influencers in a setting dedicated exclusively to wide-format digital print.

But most importantly, CEOs, presidents, and founders of the premier print shops in the country traveled to Minnesota to make a change in their company. Ryan Estis, opening keynote speaker and CEO of Ryan Estis & Associates, said it best: “The most important time during this conference is 8 a.m. the day after it ends, when you have to put into practice what you learned,” he said. With sessions dedicated to emerging trends like and textiles and technology updates from 3D printing to single-pass, every attendee was delivered a new idea (or two or five) to implement at their shop.

One of the key takeaways? In this industry, you don’t simply print graphics – you help clients create an experience, strengthen a brand, and forge connections.

 “You’re not in the business of digital printing – you’re in the business of amplifying a brand or a business,” said closing keynote speaker Anthony Tjan, founder & CEO of The Cue Ball Group, venture capitalist, and entrepreneur. At the end of the day, yes, PSPs print graphics for clients, but have you ever stopped to think about the bigger picture? “It’s not what you do, but how you do it. Give customers a little more than they expect each time,” added Estis. 

Below is just a glimpse of the insights, actionable takeaways, and statistics that WFX attendees gleaned from the inaugural event.