The Print & Pkg Lab - Practical conversations for print and packaging professionals - Powered by PIA MidAmerica

Teresa Campbell, PIA MidAmeica, discusses compensation strategy, retention, culture, career growth, and workforce trends shaping the printing industry.

Learn how AI sales prospecting can improve outreach, accelerate qualification, uncover opportunities, and help sales professionals work more efficiently.

Lena Thompson, ColorMark, shares lessons on mentorship, service, quality, and passing industry knowledge to the next generation of print professionals.

Learn practical ways to build internal community, strengthen employee engagement, and improve retention without additional budget or HR resources.

Jessica Sanchez, PIA MidAmerica, discusses workforce development, changing job roles, technical skills, and the future of careers in print production.

Learn how high-intent SEO keywords help print companies attract qualified prospects, improve search visibility, and generate better leads.

Filip Buyse, Venture 10, explains how print business owners can prepare for a sale, improve valuation, and avoid common succession planning mistakes.

Discover why relationship selling remains a powerful competitive advantage and how human connection helps sales professionals stand out in an AI-driven world.

Zach Fargo, Trabon, shares how relationships, community involvement, and a service-first mindset create stronger sales and business growth.

5 Things Gen Z Wants From Your Workplace (That You Can Actually Deliver) As more Gen Z employees enter the workforce, many organizations are working to understand what motivates them, how they prefer to communicate, and what they expect from an employer. While generational stereotypes often dominate the conversation, the reality is that many of...

In this Leadership Bites episode, Rob Styacich shares perspective on his career, the economy of relationships, what it is like to own a company, and perspective for peers and those up and coming in the industry.

Hazardous waste in print isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safety, cost, and day-to-day operational decisions. In this Production Foundations episode, Janie sits down with Xon Post (Clean Earth) and Teresa Campbell (PIA MidAmerica) to break down what plant managers need to know. They cover: Where print shops get into trouble What’s often misunderstood about waste

The Invisible Shortlist: How to Get Your Print Shop Chosen Before Buyers Ever Talk to You Modern buyers build their shortlists long before they talk to a sales rep. This fast, practical session shows you how to make your shop findable, credible, and irresistible online, so you stop getting cut early and start getting called

In this Wide Format Deep Dive, we sit down with Chris Manley, President of Graphco, to explore how print has evolved from engineering drawing reproduction to today’s highly automated, digitally driven production environments. The conversation moves beyond equipment to focus on where wide format is headed: the growing importance of digital finishing, increasing substrate complexity,

The 8-Touch Rule is dead. Today’s buyers often need 12+ thoughtful interactions before they’ll take a meeting. This 15-minute session shares a simple, modern multi-touch cadence, specific examples by channel, and practical tips to stay consistent without feeling spammy or burning out. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

Psychological safety is the missing link between culture, safety, and quality in and around your shop. In this 15‑minute brief, we’ll explore what it is, how everyday reactions from leaders shape it, and simple, repeatable behaviors that help people speak up before problems, mistakes, or injuries escalate. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

With over 50 years in print, Dave Pierson has seen the industry evolve from craftsmanship to modern manufacturing—but the fundamentals of running a successful operation haven’t changed as much as you might think. In this episode, Dave shares what he looks for the moment he walks into a plant, why workflow and communication often matter

Turn “we don’t have a marketing person” into a non-excuse. In this marketing  brief, you’ll get a simple weekly system any owner, CSR, or sales rep can run to consistently promote your shop, use print to sell print, and keep your pipeline warm. No marketing degree required. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

The annual PIA MidAmerica GraphEx Awards are just around the corner. This episode looks at ways to extend your win and use the honor throughout the year for brand awareness, client acquisition and retention, and for reinforcing positive and quality-oriented work cultures. Learn more at piamidam.org/graphex.

Habit stacking helps sales professionals build consistency by linking new business development actions to existing routines. By attaching small prospecting, follow-up, or planning habits to daily anchors, reps create momentum effortlessly. Over time, these micro-habits compound, transforming sporadic outreach into a predictable, results-driven rhythm for new business growth. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

In this Leadership Bites episode, Teresa Campbell shares perspective on industry priorities and the key initiatives guiding PIA MidAmerica’s work to support printers and packaging professionals across the region. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

This brief explores how “nice” workplaces accidentally protect poor performance. This brief shows leaders how to mix clarity, compassion, and real follow‑through so accountability feels fair, human, and growth‑focused instead of harsh or punishing. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.