Flexo’s Going Global

Pack your passports and join more than 1,600 attendees and 150 companies next month in Montreal for four days of flexographic festivities. The Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association’s (FFTA) 2007 Annual Forum/INFO*FLEX Exhibition—themed “Crossing Borders … Flexo’s Global Gateway”—will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal May 6-9.

Forum 2007 will get underway Sunday, May 6 with an association update and prepress session, followed by an evening keynote address, featuring David Schawk, president/CEO of Schawk, Inc. Schawk, as well as Mike Ferrari, Procter & Gamble, and Debbra Johnson and John McCooey, DuPont Imaging Technologies, will explore globalization’s effect on the future of flexographic printing.

During the next couple of days, attendees can sit in on more than 30 sessions, including “Flexo Global Session,” “The Critical Role Played by the Flexographer in Stopping Global Counterfeiting,” and “Sustainability in Packaging.”

Don Carli, director of Responsible Enterprise Print with the Institute for Sustainable Communication, will also present a keynote address on May 8 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. “How Climate Change and Demand for Sustainable Print Will Change Your Business” will examine how Fortune 1000 companies are under pressure to address climate change and meet sustainability standards.

“Sustainability is a hot topic, and one that demands its own time slot. We are thrilled to have Don Carli, whose extensive experience and expertise on this topic as it pertains to printing is sure to benefit all who attend, whether they are already implementing a corporate sustainability initiative or have plans to launch one soon,” says 2007 Forum Chair, David Nunez, Great Lakes Packaging.

FFTA’s INFO*FLEX exhibition will be the center of activity May 7 and 8, as attendees take in the latest flexographic technologies. “FTA management anticipates a large, international audience, and exhibitors have their sights set on reaching a brand new set of contacts,” says Jay Kaible, FTA director of business development. “It’s a win-win for all.”

To wind down the week’s events, FTA will host its annual banquet and awards presentation May 8 from 7 to 9 p.m., where it will announce the Best of Show award winners from its 2007 Excellence in Flexography Awards Competition; honor the winners of the Technical Innovation Award, Environmental Excellence Award, Author’s Awards, and President’s Awards; and acknowledge the 45th Hall of Fame inductee. Following food, drinks, and celebration, attendees can bid “Farewell to Montreal” in local neighborhoods where art, music, wine, coffee, and sweets will highlight the European atmosphere of this culturally vibrant city.

For more information on Forum/INFO*FLEX 2007’s agenda, visit www.flexography.org/forum07.cfm. pP