The SGIA (Specialty Graphic Imaging Association) Expo, Las Vegas 2016 – Trade Show Recap

While the saying goes “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” that’s not true for the SGIA Expo. If you go to the trade show I guarantee you will come home with something you’ll want to share. Whether that be new equipment, a ton of educational literature, new ideas and inspiration, businesses contacts, or all of the above! I know I personally came back with several of these as well as a whole new perspective on the industry we’re involved in.

As a newcomer to not only SGIA, but the industry as a whole I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to fully immerse myself in all things textile decoration and graphic imaging for three days. I tried to think sponge like thoughts and soak up all the knowledge, sights, and sounds. As a hands on learner, being able to touch all the different kinds of garment decoration was vastly beneficial for me. Actually feeling screen printing, direct to garment printing, embroidery, and other techniques helped me compare and see the benefits of Siser heat transfer vinyl. Plus did you know you can combine Siser HTV with other methods of textile decoration? The creative possibilities are certainly endless! Seeing it all first hand solidified how vast and versatile textile decoration is.

The SGIA Expo, and Vegas in general, can really only give their full impact if you see it in person. Everything. is. HUGE. The buildings, the printers, the vinyl cutters, the personalities, the trade show floor, and even our booth with its expansive arch. It’s hard to capture the extensiveness of it all in a photo, but Joe did take some good snapshots.

I expected to feel diminished by the size of it all, but instead I felt proud to be a piece of the bigger picture. We are a part of a swiftly growing industry filled with entrepreneurial spirits and creative minds. It’s not bad company to keep, let me tell ya. Many people stopped by just to meet our team and say how much they love working with Siser products. If you visited our booth during SGIA, I want to give you a heart felt thank you for your enthusiasm towards Siser! It was so wonderful to connect with the people who are using Siser materials for all sorts of things. For example, at one point during the show I was discussing spirit wear with a couple of Soccer Moms who ran a side business before turning around to talk about our Print and Cut materials with a business owner who was looking to promote his services with a variety of products. Two very different customers with individual needs who both use Siser HTV!

Trade Shows not only provide the opportunity to meet industry professionals they are also the best way to stay on top of new trends and products in the industry. Are you kicking yourself yet for missing SGIA? Well you can stop now because I have great news! SGIA is not the only trade show Siser participates in throughout the year. While SGIA and ISA are the only shows Siser is an exhibitor at with a booth of our own, we often partner with an Authorized Distributor and join them in their booth. This way we can support our Authorized Distributors and simultaneously connect with customers who work with Siser products. Our team travels throughout the U.S.A, Canada, and South America joining our distributors at trade shows and even hosting workshops and seminars at other times. We want to meet YOU! So please, if you don’t already, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for news about upcoming trade shows and opportunities to connect with us face to face! Who knows maybe you’ll meet one of these smiling faces-