Opening keynote was hosted by EFI CEO and Executive Chairman Jeff Jacobson, who set the tone with a talk-show style format with a number of guests including Marco Boer of I.T. Strategies, new eProductivity Software CEO Gaby Matsliach, EFI CTO Doug Edwards and EFI VP of Worldwide Marketing, Ken Hanulec.
The 22nd edition of EFI Connect 2022 took place at Wynn Las Vegas resort where leaders (over 600 reported attendees) from the print industry from across the world gathered for the great event.
“We are LIVE in Las Vegas for EFI Connect 2022!” EFI Executive Chairman and CEO Jeff Jacobson kicked off the week with his opening keynote. Special guest Marco Boer joined to talk about a ‘renaissance of new applications for industrial inkjet, giving a shout out to technology like EFI Cubik for flooring decoration and EFI Reggiani in apparel.
Jacobson’s keynote speech analyzed the printing industry even as he talked about EFI and its latest developments. He also discussed the recent sale of eProductivity Software along with the new CEO of eProductivity Software, Gabriel (Gaby) Matsliach.
IT Strategies Vice President Marco Boer and Jacobson discussed the present day challenges and opportunities facing the printing industry, including labour and supply shortages. Boer brought to the fore the impending threat of labour supply shortage in the near future. Boer suggested print service providers should see solution in automation. The PSPs that survive and thrive will be the manufacturers that know how to optimize their operations with automation, he said.
Updates on EFI products and the company’s focus on packaging printing innovation were made at the event. “2022 is going to be an exciting year for EFI from a packaging perspective,” announced Ken Hanulec, VP of worldwide marketing, EFI, during a press conference at EFI Connect 2022. “We saw substantial growth in our packaging business last year,” Hanulec said, “and we’re forecasting to double that substantial growth this year.”
EFI conducted a live demonstration of the new EFI Fiery FS500 Pro DFE at EFI Connect 2022. The EFI Fiery FS500 Pro processes graphics-intensive jobs up to 50% faster than previous EFI Fiery DFEs. It provides an extensive collection of innovative new features that address top challenges print businesses face, such as shorter runs, faster turnaround times, increased security standards, the need to reduce costs etc.
The company debuted its Fiery Impress DFE, a scalable, flexible server, and colour management solution for inkjet label and packaging applications as well as for inline manufacturing lines that need variable print. The Fiery Impress DFE can drive entry-level, mid-range, or high-volume inkjet equipment on a range of hardware platforms. The Fiery Command WorkStation is standard with the Fiery Impress DFE.
Connect 2022’s educational offerings included a two-day, accelerated Expert/Professional training for certification on Idealliance G7 print specifications.
Hall of Fame Pitcher and MLB All-Time Saves Leader Mariano Rivera was the star attraction at the EFI Connect 2022. The all time great baseball player is working to transform the lives of underserved minority youth with an occupational training program through the Mariano Rivera Foundation. During the keynote session, several of the foundation’s graduates joined on stage and virtually to explain that the vocational training programs provided them with an occupation and a sense of purpose.
The foundation has also instituted vocational training program for the printing industry. The foundation’s new graphic arts industry-sponsored activities began in 2021 with a training program in Gainesville, Florida. The program will expand through a new Mariano Rivera Foundation center to be built in New Rochelle, New York. EFI was also an early collaborator with the foundation — helping the foundation understand the certifications crucial to the students’ future success in the printing industry, such as the Idealliance G7 certification.
At Connect 2022, several of the foundation graduates received their certifications online. Additionally, EFI used the inspirational session to compel several of its printing industry partners to support the foundation.
Connect 2022 is the place where EFI users and industry leaders come together to learn, network, and create revenue generating ideas that make image driven businesses more successful. This year’s conference gave keen insight on how to make businesses grow – with more educational courses, user community meetings, panel discussions, and networking events.
Event highlights include a full agenda of MIS/ERP and Web-to-Print lessons for all skill levels, product demonstrations, user breakout sessions, sponsor exhibitions, and numerous networking opportunities designed to solve process and technical challenges, cultivate and share revenue generating ideas, and foster long-lasting business relationships.
Classes were offered for a wide array of products, including EFI Monarch, Pace, PrintSmith and PrintSmith Vision, PrintStream, Radius, MarketDirect StoreFront, Online Print Solutions, Auto-Count DMI, and PrintFlow, and for the markets we serve, including commercial print, corrugated packaging, sign and display graphics, industrial textile, wood decoration, and more.
Mariano Rivera Foundation
In one of the most inspiring EFI Connect general sessions we’ve ever had, EFI CRO Frank Mallozzi was joined by Larry Weiss and Luis Villa from Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office along with MLB Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. Rivera received a standing ovation as he entered the stage at EFI Connect 2022 to speak about his incredible baseball career and impactful, passion-driven work as founder and president of the Mariano Rivera Foundation.
The group discussed the Mariano Rivera Foundation’s remarkable print technology vocational educational program, and Mariano shared his life story and the motivation behind his mission to give back and uplift underserved youth.
EFI welcomed four special guests to EFI Connect: Christian, Daniel, Arnez and Victor – students in the Mariano Rivera Foundation’s program in Florida. The young men were recognized during the keynote presentation with Mariano Rivera for their recent Fiery certification and inspiring personal achievements. The MRF provides transformational programs for underprivileged youth that empower the students for the future, including opportunities for vocational training in graphic arts and print applications.
Rivera brought history to life through print, talking through his T-shirt design that reflected his start in his beloved Panama, to Yankee Stadium, to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
On the day two of EFI Connect 2022, eProductivity Software CEO Gaby Matsliach opened the first general session, speaking to the group’s next chapter as an independent, global software company that empowers businesses by designing and deploying market leading transformational technology.
EFI COO of Fiery Toby Weiss took the EFI Connect audience through some of the EFI Fiery innovation including improvements across colour and imaging, productivity, management and connection.
EFI CTO Doug Edwards and VP of worldwide marketing Ken Hanulec joined Jeff Jacobson on stage during EFI Connect 2022 to look ahead to key strategic initiatives in the year ahead.
Inkjet COO Scott Schinlever gave the EFI Connect audience an update on its extensive portfolio and new products on the horizon and also an insight into ‘what’s next for EFI Inkjet?’
CEO of eProductivity Software Gaby Matsliach shared a message from Bill Chisholm, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Symphony Technology Group (STG), praising the eProductivity Software team’s strength and commitment to customer relationships and the talent within the business, and outlines plans to build on its strength and relentlessly pursue growth through innovation.
“We always will talk about seeing around corner, anticipating where the puck is going versus where it is… I knew digital could be a really good play for UPS,” says digital innovator and UPS CMO Kevin Warren during a fireside chat with EFI CEO Jeff Jacobson at EFI Connect.
EFI CRO Frank Mallozzi turned the tables and asked some of the print industry’s top trade press and analysts about emerging growth opportunities in digital printing at the final EFI Connect 2022 general session.
