Flexo Platemakers Gather for 26th Annual Conference in Arizona
Photo courtesy of FPPA
The Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) successfully hosted its 26th Annual Conference from February 23 – 25, 2025, at the Omni Tucson National Resort in Tucson, Arizona. For over a quarter century, leaders in the flexographic platemaking industry have convened to address challenges, share insights, and explore opportunities, and this year’s conference continued to build on that legacy with fresh perspectives and opportunities for growth.
To honor the emerging leaders of the association and industry, the conference featured a keynote presentation from Ashley Lown, Engagement & Placement Coordinator at Pima County Joint Technical Education District. Alongside colleague Amanda Simeza, the pair shared strategies for preparing the next generation for success.
The conference also featured a Next Generation Panel, including Peter Cappas (United Engravers, Inc.), Hailey Ferrington (DuPont), John Merenda (Graphics 2 Press), and Graham Saunders (Container Graphics Corp.). This panel explored the changing dynamics of the industry through the eyes of the next generation of leaders, offering insights into generational shifts, addressing push-back on traditional practices, and discovering what excites, motivates, and retains young professionals in the industry, building on the themes discussed in the keynote presentation.
Knowledge-sharing and technical education were key cornerstones of the conference. In addition to the keynote and panel discussions, the conference featured technical sessions from industry suppliers, including MacDermid, DuPont, Esko, Hybrid Software, Spring Coating Systems, Sustainable Solutionz, BIEFFEBI, and XSYS. In addition to the educational content, the conference also provided ample networking opportunities.
The Excellence in Flexo Pre-Press Award was presented to XSYS Global for the second consecutive year, recognizing the company’s outstanding achievements, innovation, sustainability, and overall excellence in the field of flexographic pre-press within the printing industry.
"Reflecting on our 26th Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona, it is clear that our commitment to advancing the flexographic pre-press platemaking industry remains stronger than ever," said Laura Wright, CSW CEO and FPPA President. "This year’s conference was especially significant as we focused on nurturing the next generation of leaders. By providing valuable insights from emerging professionals and offering hands-on technical sessions from industry suppliers, we equipped our members with the tools and connections they need to navigate the evolving landscape of flexographic technology. Our commitment to high standards, continuous education, and fostering collaboration remains unwavering as we look toward the future."
For more information, visit flexoplatemakers.com/events.
