–“Technological Impact–Why is this so important to everyone?”-Katy Bryant, Weyerhaeuser.
Katy Bryant was very good. She spoke about the relationship between the pages; company, printing company and customer. She also spoke of the innovations in the market. Weyerhaeuser, she said, has the only digital press that can print opaque white. The samples she passed around were also impressive.

–“Innovative Solutions: Connecting Business with Technology-The Criticality of the Network”, Alexander Conte, MeadWestvaco.
Peyton Yancy, GC student summarized the session, stating, “Mr. Conte from MeadWestvaco was an excellent speaker. He told that the future of the industry lies in the decisions we make and the connection “networks” we bring to our companies. An interesting fact was that over 50% of the industry would retire within the next ten years. It is our responsibility to step up to the plate and take on managerial roles. Everything that a company is capable of revolves around simple factors that we create and control. How can I being more to the company? How can I reach out to our clients? It is all about what I can do.

–“The Corporate Innovation Process”, Mark Mazur DuPont, Cyrel Packaging Graphics.
Bryan Simmons observed, “Mark Mazur’s grasp of technological innovation in the corporate environment is amazing! During his presentation, he artfully revealed how Dupont uses a systematic approach in the innovation process. He described how this approach could direct the innovation process in a cost effective manner while maintaining a high degree of creativity. The “real life” examples he used really validated his company’s approach to managing the process of innovation.

–“The Entrepreneurial Side of Technology Use and Implementation”, David McBride, Spitfire Designs, a Smurfit-Stone Display Group Subsidiary.
An enthusiastic Nancy Leininger replied, “Listen to David McBride of Spitfire Digital, a subsidiary of Smurfit-Stone, and you will see for yourself. It will not take long to learn the benefits of being one of the first to implement computer animation to enhance sales presentations by allowing customers to visualize packaging and displays in the retail setting. As one would expect, his presentation was complete with a variety of animated examples of his work from Ice Age, to Hershey Kisses, to Bacardi, and Smurfit-Stone itself. This cutting-edge technology valued at $500-1000/finished second is priceless in helping Smurfit-Stone market products and services.

–“Leaders Are Life-long Learners”, Katherine Clarke, U. S. Government Printing Office.
Said Mary Margaret Andrews, “I attended Casey Clarke’s breakout session called “Leader’s and Life Long Learners.” I enjoyed her presentation very much. She spoke well and made some very good points. She is an extremely motivated individual and shared with us ways to stay motivated and to continue learning after we graduate. Casey helped me realize how important goals are and just because you may reach one that does not mean you are done, you just have to set new ones. I really related to her and was impressed to see how far she had gone and how much she had learned since leaving Clemson four years ago.”

–“Turning Ideas Into Profitable Products”, Mark Samworth Artwork Systems.
GC Student Ashley Stumpff stated. “My favorite presenter was Mark Samworth about turning ideas into profitable products in the second breakout session. He was a great speaker and was able to captivate my attention. He offered a lot of great advice; such as collect as much information as you can even if you do not know why you are doing it because it may be critical later on. As far as innovation, you need a problem to solve and so he said to get in and work with whomever you are trying to help so you know exactly what they need! It’s about 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration-it’s a lot of hard work. Mark has six or seven patents, which he explained, and it was fascinating-how he came up with the technology/ideas for the new processes and the creative side of work as well. He was energetic and passionate about what he does. And a really nice guy when you talked with him one on one.”

–“Entrepreneurial Side of Technology: Case Study”-Wilton Connor, Wilton Conner Packaging, Liam O’Hara-Clemson University. Wilton Connor’s presentation, in which he related his story of building a corrugated company up from scratch to a $90 million dollar business with over 1,000 employees, was an inspiration to any would-be entrepreneur. As with any successful venture, calculated risks are buoyed by a certain degree of luck, but it is clear from his story that one’s luck can be augmented by a dedicated vision of customer service and an attitude of responsibility to one’s employees. By maintaining a relationship of mutual respect with his customers and his employees, Mr. Connor found he had the flexibility to get through lean times that might have been denied him if all parties did not benefit from his success.

–“Creative Designing for Digital and Variable Data”- Brad Lena, Daniels Graphics.
In his session entitled ‘Creative Designing for Digital and Variable Data’, Brad Lena of Daniel's Graphics served to validate areas of interest and of details of importance in the evolving technological future and present trends of variable-data printing’s integration into industry processes. Lena’s delivery of current and evolving practices and technologies emphasized the practical elements vital to the innovative thought process that is required of leaders in an evolving industry segment.”