For three days in late October more than 30,000 practitioners across all segments of visual communications—from commercial printers to sign-shop owners—gathered in Dallas, Texas, for the inaugural PRINTING United trade show.
A press release picked up by Printing Impressions declared it a “Megashow” and by all accounts—even by Lone Star standards—the trade show was a mega hit. “If you wanted to be wowed, and you wanted to know everything about the world of printing and signage, it was there,” said a physically exhausted, but mentally energized Mike Cline, Vice President of Development & Mergers and Acquisitions for Alliance Franchise Brands.
“To give you an idea how large it was, the first day I walked five miles going around the show floor looking at certain things and talking to people. The next two days, I looked at my watch and both days it tracked me at two-and-a-half miles. If you ever go to one of these things, it’s a great exercise routine.”
It’s a great way to exercise your gray matter, too. The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association and NAPCO Media spent two years creating one environment where attendees were presented with solutions to take and resources to touch to make their businesses successful.
Six hundred eighty exhibitors nestled in 724,000 square feet of show floor in the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center and hawked the latest technology and software, and demonstrated products, many for the first time. There were also 100-plus educational sessions from graphics and apparel, to in plant and packaging.
“At our Alliance Franchise Brands booth, we spoke to independent business owners regarding the sale of their business to qualified buyers and growth opportunities for their business by joining the franchise.”.
“When we meet with print business owners, we try to paint the picture that if we can free up more of their time, so all they have to do is focus on growing their businesses, how valuable would that be? For example, if you’re a commercial printer, you have a website, you have to manage that website conducting ongoing search engine optimization, updating content, maintaining a pay per click campaign, and on and on.
“Most independent printers don’t have the time or ability or both for any of that. Well, when you join Alliance Franchise Brands, we have programs and support available to assist you.
“R&D is another reason to join Alliance Franchise Brands. If you attended PRINTING United, I’m sure you were dazzled by the elaborate and well-choreographed product demonstrations. You don’t have to take their word on performance. They are after all trying to sell you something. On the other hand, we’re continually testing the new bells and whistles and running new equipment through the mill. We almost try to break it. We give you our unbiased, make or break opinion.”
As you look to the future, our Allegra AdvantageSM Program is a great way to make more of your business without breaking the bank. Independent printers who have re-branded to Allegra have increased their sales and earnings, built greater equity, operated their businesses more efficiently, and positioned themselves for a more profitable exit.
And when you join the Alliance Franchise Brands network, you’ll have ready access to our nine fundamentals to drive growth, profitability and business value—to reach your goals including Business Assessment & Planning Assistance, Technology Enhancement, World-Class Marketing Support, and Group Buying and Outsourcing Strategies.
“So whatever your lifestyle and financial goals are this New Year and into the future, we can help you achieve them, and we’re happy to have those conversations with you.”
