Canada’s Largest Showcase
for the Graphic Communications
and Printing Industries

May 11-13, 2023

Toronto International Centre

Wide Format Symposium

Thursday, May 11
10:00 – 16:30
Aviation A

Renowned industry veterans discuss the latest in wide format printing 

Advance registration required – limited seating available! 

Schedule at a Glance – Scroll Down for Descriptions & Speaker Bio

TimeTitle
10:00-10:40How the Unique Applications or Purposes Impact Your Needs &
Printing Equipment Buying Habits
Jay Roberts, Roland DGA Corp
10:45-11:25Integrating a Sustainable Mindset into the Workflow
Carla Johanns, Simpson Print
11:30-12:10Widen Your Profit Margins with Wide Format Printing: Getting Started &
Getting Ahead
Mike Meshkati, SinaLite
12:15-12:55Challenges for Today & Tomorrow
Tony Tuka, The Essential Image 
13:00-13:55PANEL: Workflow Automation in Wide-Format
Significans Automation & WebCONNECT Partners
14:00-14:40High Margin Market Opportunities in Wide-Format
Alexis Aubre & Jordane Beaulieu, FujiFilm
14:45-15:25PANEL: What’s New & What’s Coming in the Latest Technologies
Innovative Displays, Canon, EFI, HP, Durst
15:30-16:30PANEL: Entering Wide Format for Commercial Printers
Ronik, EFI

How the Unique Applications or Purposes Impact Your Needs &
Printing Equipment Buying Habits

10:00 – 10:40

Summary: In this ever-changing world of printing, determining what type of print equipment to purchase can be a perplexing task. Making things even more confusing are the many different types of inks available, ranging from the traditional offset, flexo and screen inks, to the newer eco-solvent, resin or latex, and ultra-violet formulations. The fact is, these are all valid methods, and there are many high-quality printers and inks within each category you can choose from. This presentation will help you make an informed buying decision. There’s no single printer that does everything, so let’s define how to select the best device for your intended purpose.

Jay Roberts
Product Manager
Roland DGA Corp

Jay Roberts, UV printer product manager at Irvine, California-based Roland DGA Corporation, has been with Roland since 2014. Prior to that, Roberts was with Fujifilm where he served as a Professional Service Advisor on the integration of G7 for both conventional and digital workflows as well as repair/installation/training for various UV printers, including the Acuity Series and Inca Onset printers. 

From 2001 to 2005, Roberts was with the now-defunct Nelson-Keystone, where he was a Roland product dealer. Currently as a UV print specialist, Roberts spends much of his time educating customers about Roland’s VersaUV LEF, LEC, LEJ series printers and the IU-1000 printer for packaging, POP and product customization and personalization, while also leading workshops on digital printing and creative art.

Integrating a Sustainable Mindset into the Workflow

10:45 – 11:25

Summary: What does sustainability truly mean? Examining the interconnectedness of systems and how people and the natural environment relate daily, the focus of this seminar will explore building a workflow and culture that drives benefits in services and solutions as a company and ultimately for our customers.

Carla Johanns
President
Simpson Print, B2Signs & Events

Carla is the President of Simpson Print and B2Signs & Events. As the head of this multi- million-dollar organization , she leads from a place of courage, commitment, and an overabundance of enthusiasm. Leading a team dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement, Simpson Print has become one of the most diverse print manufacturing organizations in Canada. Carla holds a master’s degree in education and is a recent 2022, Big Picture Women in Wide Format Recipient. She is an avid fundraiser for Mental Health and continues to seek ideation in manufacturing to transform and drive a sustainable print industry at large.

Widen Your Profit Margins with Wide Format Printing: Getting Started and Getting Ahead

11:30 – 12:10

Summary: In this informative session, you’ll discover how to get started and get ahead selling high-demand wide format products. Learn what you need to produce them for your clients. Explore top selling products that you’ll want to add to your selection. And for those who are already selling wide format printing, get familiar with tried and true strategies to maximize your profits and grow your business.

Mike Meshkati
President
SinaLite

Through lifelong printing industry experience covering every aspect of the business, I know the challenges involved and am committed to creating cost-effective solutions for our customers. Much of my childhood was spent in the shop my parents founded and I worked there while attending university to support our refocus to wholesale. After graduating, I joined SinaLite as a full-time employee and in 2012, stepped into my current role as President. It’s been a privilege to lead SinaLite’s continued evolution as a full ecommerce business, guiding the expansion of products, features, and automation to better serve our customers.

Challenges for Today & Tomorrow

12:15-12:55

Summary: Today’s economy has posed many challenges for business’s in the printing and signage sector. In this session you’ll learn key techniques to help you navigate your business towards future success.

Pioneering UV inkjet printing

“We were there at the very beginning of UV-based printing,” said Tony Tuka, president of The Essential Image. “We saw endless opportunities with inkjet and liked the idea of offering a large range of SKUs from one machine.”

Tony Tuka
President
The Essential Image

Essential Image, based in Kitchener, ON, is one of North America’s top digital printing service providers. Originating from a retail store front in  2002, the company  transitioned to wide format printing in the B2B sector. Essential Image has transitioned from the early days of water base printing to the latest UV printing technologies.

High Margin Market Opportunities in Wide-Format

14:00 – 14:40

Summary: Participants will walk away with 5 high profit margin large format printing market ideas including examples, samples, sales channel, type of margin, manufacturing process and the rationale behind profitability.

Alexis Aubre
National Inkjet Sale Specialist
FujiFilm Canada 

Jordane Beaulieu
Strategic Account Manager
FujiFilm Canada

Well renowned in the field of inkjet equipment sales. Alexis Aubre, has 17 years of experience in the field of large-format printing. With a background with the largest suppliers in the industry, he is passionate about helping his clients with capital equipment projects and production improvement / automation.

Jordane Beaulieu works as Strategic Account Manager for Fujifilm Canada. He’s a graphic arts geek with a passion for all things print, from letterpress to printed electronics. He’s been an advocate for the printing industry since he started in the field 5 years ago. His insights into the printing market are influenced by his background in both finance and technology. 

FEATURED EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS

Ricoh
Epson
Xerox
HP
Ultimate TechnoGraphics
Delphax Solutions
TG Graphics
Esko
Zund
Sydney Stone
Sign Media