FLAG hosts Annual Members Meeting in Buffalo

This year’s meeting gathered over 115 attendees from 64 companies.

L-R: JC McKay, Mark Cinotti, Keith Hatswell, Keith O’Malley, Michelle Vanderlinden and John McKay

L-R: JC McKay, Mark Cinotti, Keith Hatswell, Keith O’Malley, Michelle Vanderlinden and John McKay

Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG) has held its Annual Members Meeting in Buffalo, NY, bringing together industry leaders, members, and vendor partners to discuss the latest trends, challenges and innovations in flexographic printing and label production.

This year’s meeting gathered over 115 attendees from 64 companies and featured engaging content. Key highlights from the meeting included a keynote speech on making it ridiculously easy to do business by customer experience expert and best-selling author David Avrin, a state of the industry presentation by Label & Narrow Web magazine editor Greg Hrinya, a digital marketing workshop given by JC McKay and marketing and industry expert Jackie Kuehlmann with LPC, and a panel discussion with FLAG Members addressing the challenges they face as independent converters and solutions that have been successful for them.

JC McKay, president of FLAG, said: ‘Each year, our meeting offers something special, and this year in Buffalo was no exception. The energy and engagement from our Members and Vendor Partners were amazing. We love providing a platform where our Members and Vendors can come together to share knowledge, explore new technologies, build meaningful relationships, and grow their businesses.’

During the meeting the group has also recognized its members and vendors with The FLAG annual awards:

  • FLAG Vendor Partner of the Year Award: Hybrid Software
  • Brad Brown Strategic Partner Award: Jackie Kuehlmann - LPC

Seven companies received the 2022 Gold Member Awards:

  • Accu-Label - Fort Wayne, IN
  • Apogee Industries - West Chester, PA
  • Grace Label - Des Moines, IA
  • Graphics Universal - Greencastle, PA
  • Jones Healthcare Group - London, ON
  • Luminer Converting Group - Lakewood, NJ
  • M&R Label - University Park, IL

A member company opens its doors at each FLAG Annual Meeting and invites all attendees to tour it. Members value seeing how a company of similar size and scope implements processes and sets up its businesses for growth and efficiency. This year, FLAG visited Niagara Label in Akron, NY, which was also recognized with the Million Dollar Saver Award: Niagara Label

McKay added: ‘We are excited about the future of FLAG and the opportunities that lie ahead. Our focus remains on delivering value to our members and driving the growth and success of the independent converter. We look forward to building on the momentum from this year’s meeting and achieving even greater heights together.’

FLAG’s next member event will coincide with the upcoming Labelexpo in Rosemont, IL, in September.

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