FLAG Holds Annual Membership Meeting in Buffalo

Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG) recently held its annual membership meeting in Buffalo, New York. The event brought together industry leaders, members and supplier partners for informative presentations, workshops and panel discussions focused on the latest trends, challenges and innovations in flexographic printing and label production.

This year’s meeting, which brought together more than 115 attendees from 64 companies and was marked by strong participation and engaging content, continues to solidify FLAG’s role as the pivotal organization in the flexographic printing industry.

JC McKay, FLAG President, expressed his excitement about the event: “Every year our meeting offers something special, and this year in Buffalo is no exception. The energy and commitment from our members and vendor partners has been incredible. 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,” said McKay.

Highlights of the meeting included a keynote address on how to make it ridiculously easy to do business with you by customer experience expert and best-selling author David Avrin, a state of the industry presentation by Etiquette and the narrow web Greg Hrinya, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, a digital marketing workshop hosted by LPC marketing and industry expert JC McKay and Jackie Kuehlmann, and a panel discussion with FLAG members discussing the challenges they face as independent converters and the solutions that have worked for them.

The annual FLAG Awards Dinner and Ceremony Celebration always takes place during the Annual Meeting. On Wednesday evening, FLAG members and supplier partners were recognized.

FLAG Vendor Partner of the Year Award: Hybrid Software: This award is based on a participating vendor’s exceptional support, communication and commitment to FLAG and its members. This year’s winner was Hybrid Software.

Brad Brown Strategic Partner Award: Jackie Kuehlmann – LPC: Brad Brown was a colleague and friend of John McKay, who died far too young. Brad was instrumental in helping FLAG in the early years, first believing in FLAG’s vision, then becoming one of FLAG’s first vendor partners and introducing John to Dan Bendele, CEO of IPW . Dan and John struck up a friendship that led to a strong strategic partnership between FLAG and IPW.

The Brad Brown Strategic Partner Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies commitment, creativity and excellence – three of Brad’s traits – in their support of FLAG. This year’s award went to Jackie Kuehlmann of LPC, FLAG’s agency of record.

FLAG Gold Member Rewards: The long-term success of FLAG relies on commitment, involvement and purchasing at high levels from all members. The Gold Member award is awarded to FLAG members who have achieved Gold Member ranking in terms of purchase levels multiple times within the last four quarters and who have attended the annual membership meeting. Seven companies received the 2022 Gold Member Awards:

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

Member Tour Host Award: Niagara Label: A member company opens its doors at each FLAG annual meeting and invites all participants to visit. Members enjoy seeing how a company of similar size and scale implements processes and sets up operations to ensure growth and efficiency. This year, FLAG visited Niagara Label in Akron, NY.

Million Dollar Saver Price: Niagara Label: This award recognizes members who have saved $1 million or more through supplier partner incentive programs.