Exceeding Expectations

Nearly three years have passed since the Print Services & Distribution Association (PSDA) joined forces with management firm SmithBucklin and relocated its headquarters from Alexandria, Va., to Chicago. Now the PSDA is making bold moves once again.

As members of the industry flock to Chicago for this year’s annual show (May 8-9), they will notice several changes, starting with a new name: Distributor Solutions Expo. The decision is a direct result of PSDA’s commitment to evolve its national event.

Matt Sanderson, PSDA executive vice president, believes the new name was a no-brainer. “Basic as it may seem, this event is fundamentally about distributors finding solutions. So why not call it that? Sometimes, the best answers are the simplest,” he said. “We added the tagline, ‘Delivering on the Power of Partnership,’ to remind everyone of the importance of deep partnerships throughout our unique supply chain.”

Sanderson has been busy fielding questions from curious exhibitors, PSDA members and attendees. In particular, many are wondering about the continuing evolution of the show. According to Sanderson, feedback has been positive, and this is only the first step. Of course, evolution isn’t limited to a name change—tweaks also have been made to the Expo’s floor design and composition, education topics and delivery, schedule and overall atmosphere.

Several factors influenced the strategic planning process. For instance, the association reviewed past attendee research before cutting the show from three days to two.

“By building the event around a two-day experience, more attendees will overlap, improving value for everyone. And a tighter event program means fewer days out of the office and a less expensive trip for attendees and exhibitors,” Sanderson explained. “We are focused on improving the ROI for all involved, and the schedule is part of that. We want to make it hard for people not to come, and hard not to do business while they are there.”