Alliance Franchise Brands Chief Executive Officer, Michael Marcantonio, was one of eleven printing industry leaders honored and inducted into the Idealliance Soderstrom Society— professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the development and progress of the print, mail, and fulfillment industry. Idealliance supports the growth and development of the industry through the advocacy and advancement of its foundations, awards, and public policy work on Capitol Hill.

The induction ceremony took place on September 9, during the Soderstrom Awards Dinner at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center on the eve of PRINT 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center—the largest and most innovative global exhibition of digital, offset, and hybrid technologies.

Across the expansive show floor displaying more than 450 exhibitors, the estimated 20,000 attendees explored demonstrations of the latest technologies, unique new applications, and products and services for every key facet of the graphic communications industry. Additionally, more than 50 education sessions shed light on topics ranging from design/creative process, packaging, marketing, growth strategies, emerging technologies, and programs analyzing new methods to increase ROI.

At our 200-square-foot Alliance Franchise Brands booth, representatives from our two leading brands—Allegra Marketing and Print Division, and Image360 Sign and Graphics Division—met with independent printers who envisioned someday exiting their businesses and were given several options to sell and to reap a maximum return on their investment.

For Allegra, the marketing, print and mail franchise serving the digital and print marketing communications needs of small and medium-sized organizations, our Director of Acquisitions and Strategic Growth, Dave Jones, and Business Development Manager, Julie Ledford, counseled attendees on the opportunity to profit from the buying power and technical resources of Allegra, to strengthen their marketing effectiveness, and to exit at the right time with a qualified buyer. Independent printers were encouraged to call 800-445-5172, or to visit allegrafranchise.com, if they had any questions.

And for Image360, the one-stop B2B provider for graphic communications services, our Vice President of Franchise Development, Mike Cline, and Franchise Development Advisor, Mike Herrera, shared insights with attendees on how to expand through diversification, to increase sales and earnings, and to raise visibility by partnering with Image360. Attendees were given a phone number, 877-728-7446, and a website to visit, franchising.image360.com, for more information.

“PRINT17 was an excellent industry trade show and a great opportunity for us to meet with independent printers to learn about their career goals and timelines,” said Julie Ledford. “We’re also very proud that our CEO, Michael Marcantonio, was honored for his tireless and enduring advocacy and advancement of our industry.”