D3 Wrap-Up

by Matt DeLaere, Marketing

Carleen Gray and Josh Ellsworth present the Making Yourself a Logo Expert session.

Wednesday’s D3: Design, Decorate, Deliver in Cleveland was a huge success. I was personally told by several of the 155 attendees how much they enjoyed the event, whether they were discussing educational sessions, the chance for hands-on experience, or the show specials.

The event brought decorators from a wide variety of backgrounds and companies (and locales). Heat presses, vinyl cutters, the Heat Press Caddie, as well as heat transfer materials, rhinestones, and screen printed transfers were popular items whether the attendees represented stores, home businesses, or institutional interests.

I spoke with a decorator who customizes sports uniforms from his home and is looking to expand his business. Another couple included a woman who had worked for a screen printer for years before venturing out on her own, and her husband, who brought experience from a promotions background. While they mainly decorate promotional items (particularly T-shirts), they have been producing attractive (and popular) rhinestone designs and other fashion garments. Another attendee mentioned taking the day off from his “real job” to help build his decorating business.

Attendees came from all over the map, including travelers from Washington (state!), Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, among other locales. Some brought mixed media garments to share with others, and almost everyone brought questions. In addition to educational seminars about heat transfer vinyl, artwork preparation and design, and product ideas, GroupeSTAHL Sales Alliance (GSSA) representatives were on hand to make sure that all attendees were well-informed. I also saw many heat printing veterans sharing tips, tricks, and product recommendations with attendees newer to the business.

Josh Ellsworth with Laurie Thewes, winner of our heat press raffle.

There was a lot of excitement from veterans and beginners alike, and I came away with several stories about how people got started in the business, what products and equipment they found useful, and what they were looking forward to. I’ll share these folks’ stories in the coming weeks so that others can benefit from their experiences and enthusiasm.

The first success story, though, comes from Laurie Thewes, the winner of a new Hotronix® Fusion heat press in our raffle. Laurie, of Elite Sports Limited in Canton, Ohio was quite excited to have the new machine, especially since she had been close to purchasing one earlier in the day. Congratulations to Laurie, as well as to all of our raffle winners. And a special thanks to all those who attended and made the day successful.

 

 

 

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