Leading PRINT with Thayer Long, President Association for Print Technologies (APTech)

Deborah spoke to Thayer Long, President at APTech, about the organisation’s Leading Print magazine and the events on the horizon during this Podcasts from the Printerverse episode.

As the industry evolves, the way the community connects and shares knowledge needs to evolve too, and APTech are expanding their horizons and doing their bit to ensure print is moving in the right direction.

In this podcast, Thayer expresses the need for a bit more honesty and transparency in the industry, a virtue at the heart of their publication Leading Print. The magazine features no sponsored content or advertising, choosing instead to focus on meaningful editorial content and give honest accounts of the challenges and successes print companies face.

As the organisers of the annual PRINT event in Chicago, they are broadening their portfolio with the Leading Print Forum and the Print Innovation Exchange. The latter evolved from the association’s annual conference, and following good feedback the event will return this June.

Leading Print Forum aligns with the publication of the same name, and will help equip businesses to be prepared as the industry adapts. The half-day event will be hosted ahead of the International Sign Expo in Las Vegas.

As a somewhat inward-looking industry, it’s great to see outside knowledge being championed; as Thayer puts it in the podcast, print isn’t the only industry evolving and needing to embrace innovation. Indicative of this is PRINT19 keynote speaker Nicholas Thompson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine, who will undoubtedly offer a unique perspective to attendees but his involvement also demonstrates print’s role in media and the communications space remains essential.

PRINT19 will be taking place October 3-5 in Chicago, and of course, there will be an intergalactic experience to be had as the Printerverse returns! Registration is now open.

Karis Copp is a UK-based writer, journalist and communications expert. With a background as an editor and public relations specialist in the print industry, she now works on a freelance basis covering events, writing on industry news and trends, and working with businesses to help them tell their stories and connect with their customers. Follow Karis on Twitter @KarisCoppWrites.