Canon Solutions America’s thINK Ahead 2019 Conference Draws 600

Melville, New York-based Canon Solutions America, a wholly-owned subsidiary and the sales arm of Tokyo-based Canon, held its fifth annual thINK Conference in mid-September in Boca Raton, Florida, and says more than 600 attendees came out to learn about industry trends and educate themselves with the help of some 75 presenters.

Attendees were made up of current Canon Solutions America inkjet customers, prospective customers, members of the press, analysts, partners, and industry experts. Education was framed in seven tracks that featured 30 educational sessions, as well as in networking events outside of the formal sessions.

“The thINK board is very proud of the community we have built, and feel that thINK is different from other inkjet user communities in many ways-for instance, while thINK has industry experts and Canon executives to round out our learning, the majority of our speakers are inkjet customers, and we think that speaks volumes as to what type of learning environment and community that thINK has been shaped to be,” says Bob Radzis, thINK president.

The event featured two keynote speakers: Adam Markel, a recognized expert in professional and personal reinvention who guides individuals and businesses to capitalize on change and magnify their impact; and Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL commander, New York Times best-selling author, leader, and founder of Ever Onward.

Returning this year was the second annual Inkjet Innovation Awards. The following are the Winners in each category, along with notes from Canon about the winning entries.

Design Aesthetics: Copy General‘s Smart Change Catalog, which won points for its soft-touch UV coat and spot-gloss UV, strategically placed on the photography to pull readers into the experience.

Degree of Innovation: Trend Offset‘s Destination Guide, which featured advanced variable data and graphics capabilities, including “geo-zoning” to include local advertisements in this national direct mail campaign.

Business Effectiveness: Highnote‘s Annual Appeal for Family & Children’s Place quadrupled the funds raised for the nonprofit year over year.

Best in Show: Trekk and Specialty Print Communications‘ Possibilities Catalog, a visual and tactile journey through the capabilities of the Océ ProStream, was printed on a wide range of Verso products.

People’s Choice: International Paper‘s Apollo the Spacedog, a children’s book that brings the adventures of a spunky girl and her dog to life, used the magic of augmented reality.

“We are pleased with the annual Inkjet Innovation Awards as each year we get to see new ideas and new ways our peers are using inkjet in innovative ways, to move their business forward in new directions. The competition was fierce this year, but these inkjet innovators had what it takes to win,” commented Radzis.

The company says that thINK Ahead 2019 “was at capacity and sponsorships sold-out.” Next year’s event will take place August 31-Sept. 2, 2020, once again at the Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida.