opportunity arose to take over the Alliance’s Membership Minute video series, I didn’t hesitate. Some of you may recognise me from the signature opening line: “Hi everyone and welcome to another instalment of Membership Minute, PRINTING United Alliance’s series dedicated to bringing you the latest in association news.” After wrapping up filming two years of Membership Minutes for the Alliance (with plenty of bloopers in-between, as featured on my LinkedIn), I look forward to bringing our Alliance members even more updates in 2026. One of the most rewarding responsibilities of my role has been expanding our Member Spotlight programme. These written Q&As and video interviews showcase the individuals and companies that power our industry. These shared stories have allowed me to learn more about the different segments of our industry, while building meaningful, lasting connections along the way. Since PRINTING United Alliance is primarily remote, reconnecting with members or interviewing new members in-person at PRINTING United Expo – or virtually on Zoom – is something I look forward to every year. Another initiative I help coordinate is the pre-Expo Media Day event, launched in 2024 and championed by Amanda. Designed for our global media partners, the event provides participating exhibitors with a dedicated platform to share major product launches, industry insights, and company updates. Media Day has since strengthened our media relationships, broadened our reach, and earned recognition as Trade Show Executive Magazine’s Gold 100 “Slam Dunk Award: Best New Idea of 2024.” It’s been gratifying to see this programme become an integral part of the Expo experience. Empowering Women in Print One of the initiatives I am especially proud to be a part of, and support, is Women in Print Alliance – a global organisation committed to empowering and advancing women in the printing industry at all stages of their careers. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry can be intimidating at times, but being a part of this community dedicated to championing women’s voices reinforces the message that we’re not alone, while connecting you with a network of women across the globe. Women in Print Alliance also offers membership to individuals, corporations, and students, providing access to educational webinars, workshops, participation in book chats relevant to women in the workplace, and invitations to member meetups and exclusive events, such as the annual Women in Print Alliance Networking Luncheon at PRINTING United Expo. Members also have opportunities to be featured or contribute content to our bi-weekly newsletter, which I help produce alongside Women in Print Alliance's director, Lisbeth Lyons Black. This year’s Women in Print Alliance Luncheon was a sold-out event, drawing 300 registrants from 12 different countries. The luncheon featured a powerful discussion from keynote speaker and negotiation coach, Joan Moon, on the art of effective negotiation and how women can better advocate for themselves. Joan exemplifies how women in print continue to upskill, lead, and build confidence both professionally and personally. The Her Imprint podcast, hosted by editorial director, Denise Gustavson, and co-sponsored by Women in Print Alliance, is another inspiring platform featuring women who are transforming the print industry. Hearing how many of these women found their way into print unexpectedly was both refreshing and reassuring. Anyone interested in tuning in to the Her Imprint podcast can do so either on Printing Impressions or under the "Resources" tab of the Women in Print Alliance website. A New Appreciation for the Value of Print I could tell I had a whole new appreciation for the print industry during a family vacation to Washington, D.C., in 2024. While touring the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, one of only two facilities in the United States that print paper currency, we saw a neon sign on the floor which perfectly described the Bureau: “We make money the old-fashioned way, we print it.” Seeing the currency production process firsthand gave me a profound sense of pride. Recognising the printing technology being used to print the notes and understanding that print quite literally shapes our daily lives underscored the importance of being part of this extraordinary industry. To close in true Membership Minute fashion: if you would like to learn more about PRINTING United Alliance or the benefits of becoming an Alliance member, visit printing.org or reach out to our membership team at membership@printing. org. Our team is looking forward to hearing from you! ▲ [L to R] Jessie Farrigan and Kalie Vandewater from NAPCO Media, and Carly O’Neill from PRINTING United Alliance FRESH PERSPECTIVES | CARLY O’NEILL ►[L to R] O’Neill with Seema Mojawalla, and Fahim Mojawalla, co-owners of Island Ship Center at PRINTING United Expo 2025 ▲O’Neill with Emil Montag, vice president of MHP Technology, posing with the company’s canvas sample at PRINTING United 2024 33 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 358 - January | February 2026
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