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(December 2009) posted on Mon Nov 16, 2009

An insider’s view of the PDAA Graphics Application Zone at SGIA Expo 2009

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By Rob Ivers

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I planned and coordinated the Professional Decal Application Assn.’s (PDAA) first WrapQuest events. The first was held in Pompano Beach, FL in 2007, the next at 2008’s Specialty Graphics Imaging Assn. (SGIA) Expo in Atlanta. I invested countless hours in the two events, but it was well worth it. I also received invaluable help from PDAA Master Certified installers both times. I left each event knowing we’d successfully achieved PDAA’s goals of providing education and raising the professional bar for graphic installation.

This past May, PDAA merged with SGIA to become the installation segment of the SGIA community. SGIA helps its members by connecting printshops with installers to provide total imaging solutions.

Michael Robertson, SGIA’s president and CEO, asked me to help plan a similar event for SGIA Expo 2009, which took place October 7-9 in New Orleans. I worked primarily with Dan Marx, SGIA’s markets and technologies VP. Among his other duties, Marx also oversees PDAA. However, most, if not all, of SGIA’s staff plays a role in managing and developing PDAA.

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WrapQuest matures
Robertson wanted to showcase PDAA Master Certified installers. We examined the WrapQuest model and listened to suggestions from past participants and vinyl manufacturers. We decided, although vehicle wraps represent a very prominent, vinyl-graphic application, they certainly don’t constitute the majority of most companies’ business.

We created a more diversified event that featured several graphic applications. We hoped to inspire graphic producers with new ideas, applications and markets to help them grow their businesses – and emphasize that PDAA installers handle more than just wraps. We focused on providing free education and demonstrations by many of America’s leading installers to all Expo attendees. And so, WrapQuest evolved into the PDAA Graphics Application Zone.

Again, many hours went into planning and coordinating, but this time an entire team made it happen. Every vinyl manufacturer that exhibited at the Expo was invited to participate. On behalf of PDAA, I’d like to recognize and thank the following companies for their participation and support: Avery, Clear Focus, FLEXcon, MACtac and Oracal.
I asked PDAA Master Certified Installers to volunteer their time and share their expertise. The response was overwhelming; 27 installers from all over the U.S. took time away from their businesses and traveled at their own expense, unpaid, to give something back to their industry.