It’s funny how every year I leave the Apparel Decoration Summit feeling the same way… inspired, energized, and wishing there were just one more day.

Serving on the advisory board for the Summit has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my career, and I’m incredibly grateful to be invited back each year. Watching this event continue to grow while bringing together so many passionate people is something I never take for granted.

Throughout the industry gathering, I had conversations with shop owners, suppliers, manufacturers, decorators, and industry leaders who were all willing to share ideas, challenges, successes, and lessons learned.

Here are the top three trends and takeaways from this year’s Summit held in Nashville, Tennessee in June:

1. Using AI in your shop is the future – but do it safely and strategically. AI is most effective when paired with clear processes and human expertise. Attendees saw firsthand how apparel decorators are using AI to simplify creative workflows, reduce production errors, and connect business data to drive more informed decisions across their operations.

2. Exploring promo partnerships is a growth trend. Broadening your identity beyond a transactional printer to becoming a strategic brand partner in the promotional products space can deliver premium, high-impact solutions for your customers.

3. Corporate culture is key to meeting workforce needs. Creating a safe, positive environment where people want to work is a necessity to meet today’s workforce challenges – and so is staying compliant with evolving employment laws and regulations. Both will give your company a competitive edge when hiring.

Every year, the conversations during the Summit about topics like these spark new ways of thinking, create lasting partnerships, and remind me why I love being part of this industry.

I also enjoy meeting vendors I haven’t worked with before. It’s easy to get comfortable with what we know, but some of the best opportunities come from discovering new products, technologies, and people who can help your business grow.

And while the educational opportunities and industry knowledge shared at this event are outstanding, if I’m being honest, it’s the people that make it so special. It’s also a great place to network with women in this segment of the industry. After all, apparel decoration leads the entire printing industry in terms of women’s representation; 68% of companies in this space report employing 50% or more women (Source: 2024-25 PRINTING United Alliance Wages, Salaries & Benefits Survey)

If you’ve never attended the Apparel Decoration Summit, do yourself a favor: register as soon as next year’s registration opens. Whether you’re looking to grow your business, strengthen your network – including meeting more peers who are part of Women in Print Alliance, or simply learn from some of the best people in our industry, you’ll leave with far more than you came with.