PICA Fall Management Conference - Printing Industry of the Carolinas

In today’s printing and packaging industry, standing still is not an option. Leading Forward is about having the confidence to climb higher, navigate changing terrain, and bring your team safely to the next summit. Just as a climber studies the route, secures the right gear, and relies on trusted partners, today’s leaders must adapt to new technologies, develop talent, and make decisions that create lasting results. Set against the inspiring backdrop of the North Carolina mountains, this year’s PICA Fall Management Conference will challenge you to strengthen your leadership foothold, discover new strategies for growth, and connect with peers who are climbing alongside you. Join us as we navigate change, develop talent, and drive results—one step, one challenge, and one summit at a time.

The Fall Management Conference will be held at the Hilton Biltmore Park in Asheville, NC on November 6-8, 2026.

SAVE YOUR SPOT

Reservation Cut Off Date: October 12, 2026

ROOM RATE:

Enjoy exclusive group rates of just $149++ per night for King beds.

RESERVATION WEB LINK:

Hotel reservations must be made before October 12, 2026, at 5 p.m. using our personalized booking link that can be found here or call (866) 407-5713 and mention group code PICA Fall Conference 2026 to guarantee PICA group rates.

Please be reminded that reservations must be made on or before October 12, 2026

CONFERENCE CANCELLATION POLICY

A $25 fee will apply if conference registrations are cancelled on or before October 12. After that date, no refunds are allowed; substitutions are welcome.

Individuals must cancel their own hotel reservations by calling the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park at (828) 209-2700.

LOCATION

43 Town Square Blvd, Asheville, NC 28803

HOTEL INCLUDES:

Complimentary Self-Parking

Complimentary Internet Property-Wide (Guestrooms and Meeting Space)

Complimentary Airport Shuttle from Asheville Regional Airport

GENERAL SESSIONS:

Building a Stronger Print Workforce Together: Industry, Education, and Workforce Leaders in Conversation

Saturday, November 7, 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

This interactive session brings together key stakeholders from across the printing industry, education, and workforce development systems. Participants will engage in a collaborative discussion to identify shared challenges, opportunities, and actionable strategies for strengthening the talent pipeline. The session will focus on what is needed to better prepare, attract, and inspire young people to pursue careers in printing and graphic communications, while aligning industry needs with educational and workforce initiatives to ensure long-term workforce sustainability.

The Workforce Question Every Leader Is Asking: Turn Talent Uncertainty into Predictable Growth and Scalable Revenue

Saturday, November 7, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Kent Wessinger

Leaders across the print industry are asking one critical question: Can the next generation be trusted with the future of the business? In this engaging keynote, Dr. Kent Wessinger shows that the challenge isn’t generational—it’s structural. Drawing on research from more than 54,000 participants in 34 countries, he introduces the 3 WINS Operating System™, a practical framework that builds clarity, accountability, and community to strengthen leadership, engage employees, and improve retention. Attendees leave with proven strategies they can implement immediately to develop future leaders, stabilize their workforce, and drive sustainable growth.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: Saturday, November 7, 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PICK ONE OF TWO

From Equipment to Opportunity: Winning the Right Wide Format Customers

Speaker: Debbie Nicholson, Think to Ink

Join Debbie Nicholson, respected wide-format printing strategist and speaker, as she shares practical insight on how wide-format printers can move beyond competing on price and begin attracting larger, higher-value clients. Debbie Nicholson brings a unique perspective as both a former owner of a wide-format printing company and a consultant who works with print companies across the country. She understands what separates printers who simply produce graphics from those who win large, long-term client relationships.

Beyond the Press: Unlocking Growth with Non-Printing Products and Services

Speaker: Dr. Ralph Williams, Middle Tennessee State University

As the printing industry evolves, leading companies are expanding beyond traditional print to drive new revenue, increase profitability, and strengthen customer relationships. This session explores key findings from industry research on non-printing products and services (NPPS), highlighting how diversification can create new growth opportunities and position companies as full-service partners. Walk away with actionable insights to help your company expand its capabilities, attract new business, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

LUNCHEON with Technology Spotlight

Saturday, November 7, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Join industry and educational professionals for a delicious luncheon while learning about four different innovations in the printing industry during the Technology Spotlight. Take a break and meet vendor professionals during the Vendor Fair and your One-on-One Meetings.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: Saturday, November 7, 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PICK ONE OF TWO

Strategic Sales Management

Speaker: Dave Fellman

How do you know if your salespeople are doing a good job? Obviously you can look at their sales volume at the end of each month, but that only tells you a small part of what you need to know. Yes, it’s important to set and manage by objectives, but the true measure of sales success isn’t what has happened, it’s what will happen. From a management standpoint, the future is far more important than the past — especially when your salespeople aren’t reaching the objectives you’ve set for them right now! This seminar will teach you how to manage by subjectives in addition to objectives — to understand and then correct the deficiencies that are keeping your salespeople from reaching their quotas and goals.

Carbon Counting to Customer Contracts: Why Printers Need a Carbon Strategy Now

Speaker: Brigitte O’Connor, Sustainable Green Printing Partnership / Manchester Industries

Large brands are increasingly asking suppliers for carbon footprint data, sustainability metrics, and environmental performance information. This session will help printers understand carbon accounting basics, Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, how carbon footprint calculations are performed, and practical steps to begin measuring and reducing emissions. Attendees will learn how sustainability data can become a competitive advantage in bids, customer retention, and business growth.

GENERAL SESSION:

Turn Your Team Into A Championship Team: Hiring, Training, Management, Motivation, and Retention

Saturday, November 7, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dave Fellman

Does your current team have what it takes to help you reach your goals? Do your “players” even play as a team? This is a program that will help you quantify the skills and attitudes of your current employees, and from there to build improvement plans to get them where you need them to be. You’ll learn the differences between the baseball team model, the football team model and the tennis doubles team model, and how to apply all three to your business. You’ll also learn how to make better hires, and how to ensure that the people you invest in stay long enough for you to fully capitalize on that investment. In short, you’ll learn to be a better manager, especially on the Human Resources side of your business.

BREAKFAST SESSION

Sunday, November 8, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Join us for a complimentary Ridgetop Breakfast which includes fresh bagels, brioche French toast with warm maple syrup and butter, cage-free scrambled eggs, Biltmore Farms cheddar, hashbrown casserole, applewood smoked bacon and sausage links, juices, coffee, and tea while we learn about predictable growth from a speaker tag-team.

Here’s What We Know about Your Revenue: Unlock Predictable Growth

Speakers:

Dr. Kent Wessinger and Phil Kelley, Jr. of Salem1

Revenue growth isn’t accidental—it’s built on a strong foundation of people, leadership, and execution. In this engaging session, discover why talent attraction, retention, and engagement are the three essential drivers of predictable and scalable revenue growth. Learn how organizations that create clarity around goals, establish accountability at every level, and implement structured processes consistently outperform their competitors. Whether you’re looking to increase sales, improve operational performance, or build a stronger team, you’ll leave with practical strategies to strengthen your culture, align your workforce, and create the foundation for sustainable, long-term revenue success.

Every successful climb is made easier with the right partners. At the Vendor Fair and One-on-One Partner Meetings, you’ll connect directly with PICA’s Platinum, Premier, and Gold Sponsors to explore solutions that can help your business navigate change, improve performance, and reach new heights. These focused, face-to-face conversations provide an opportunity to discuss your company’s unique challenges, discover innovative products and services, and build relationships with trusted industry experts. Then, continue the journey through the Vendor Fair, where sponsor and trade shop tabletop exhibits showcase the latest technologies, equipment, and business solutions designed to help your organization lead forward with confidence.

Keep the momentum going long after the conference concludes. As part of your registration, you’ll receive access to exclusive bonus webinars for you and your entire team. The webinar links will be automatically emailed when you register, with a reminder sent a few days before each session. It’s another opportunity to continue the climb—bringing fresh ideas, practical insights, and ongoing professional development back to your organization as you Lead Forward.

November 19, 1:00 p.m.

Inside PlanProphet: How Print Shops Are Turning Customer Data into Growth

Relationships are the foundation of every print business, yet most shops have no real system for managing them. In this session, PICA members get a live look at PlanProphet, the only CRM and growth automation platform built from the ground up for the print industry. See how shops are automatically following up on cold quotes, identifying customers who’ve gone silent, and catching at-risk accounts before the next job walks out the door. No adapting generic software to fit your workflow. Just tools that already speak your language.

November 10, 1:00 p.m.

Cultivating Value-Enhancing Actions from Financials

Financial statements are more than reports—they are powerful tools for driving smarter decisions and stronger business performance. In this session, Dr. Ralph Williams introduces a practical, systematic approach to using financial data to identify opportunities, prioritize actions, and plan a clear path forward.

PICA has arranged for discounted pricing on Christmas at Biltmore tickets for the conference weekend. The pricing includes admission + audio. Pricing for Friday and Sunday is $132 per person, and on Saturday is $137 per person (regular pricing is $180 per person). Please make your own reservations with time you want to visit using PICA’s Group Discount page here with the unique code pica26 (case sensitive).

Dave Fellman:
Dave Fellman is a long-time printing industry speaker, consultant, and author of Sell More Printing and other business development books. He has written extensively for industry publications and presented seminars and keynotes across the U.S. and internationally, focusing on sales, communication, and business growth.

Phil Kelley, Jr.:

Philip Kelley Jr. is a business leader, author, and speaker with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations improve leadership, culture, and profitability. Raised in a printing family, he brings deep roots in the graphic communications industry and practical business expertise. Phil is the bestselling author of Presence & Profitability and speaks to executive teams on leadership, organizational culture, and strategic growth.

Debbie Nicholson:
Debbie Nicholson is a wide-format printing strategist, speaker, educator, and consultant and founder of Think INK!. A former print business owner, she brings real-world experience to help companies improve operations, strengthen client relationships, and drive business growth.

Brigitte O’Connor:
Brigitte O’Connor has more than 20 years of experience in the printing, paper, and packaging industries with a focus on sustainable materials and environmental responsibility. She currently serves as Southeast Account Manager for Manchester Industries, a Clearwater Paper company, and is active in industry sustainability initiatives through SGPP.

Dr. Kent Wessinger:
Dr. Kent Wessinger is a workforce strategist and creator of the 3 WINS Operating System™, helping organizations address workforce challenges through practical, research-backed solutions. He works with manufacturing and printing leaders to improve retention, engagement, and organizational performance.

Dr. Ralph Williams:
Dr. Ralph Williams is a professor of management at Middle Tennessee State University and former printing business owner. His research focuses on printing industry strategy, workforce issues, and non-printing services, and he contributes to Printing Industry Performance & Insights studies.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Your journey Leading Forward begins at the Registration Desk. Check in on Friday, November 6, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. or 8:30–9:30 p.m., or Saturday, November 7, from 7:30–8:00 a.m. Pick up your name badge, conference materials, and personalized schedule for your One-on-One Partner Meetings, then get your bearings before the conference officially begins. Consider it your base camp—a chance to prepare, connect, and map out the opportunities that await as you navigate change, develop talent, and drive results throughout the weekend.

Dessert Reception:

After a day of travel, reward yourself at the summit with PICA’s Chef’s Choice Dessert Reception on Friday, November 6, at 9:00 p.m. Unwind with an irresistible selection of handcrafted desserts while enjoying beer, wine, and soft drinks in a relaxed, mountain-inspired atmosphere. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with industry friends, meet new colleagues, and begin building the relationships that will help you climb higher throughout the conference. Before the journey begins in earnest, take time to celebrate, recharge, and enjoy an evening of great conversation and sweet rewards.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Breakfast On Your Own

GENERAL AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

8:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

LUNCHEON with Technology Spotlight 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

RECEPTION

Saturday, November 7, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

DINNER

On your own (many restaurants within walking distance)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

BREAKFAST SESSION

Sunday, November 8, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Early Bird Rate ENDS September 26

Last Day to Register is October 30

Not-Yet-Members who join PICA by 12/31/2026 receive the difference in registration fees as a credit towards annual dues.

Conference Registrant Fee includes:

All conference programs and materials
Digital swag bag
Friday and Saturday receptions
Saturday Buffet Luncheon
Sunday Buffet Breakfast
Post-Conference Webinars with Automatic Registrations

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION RATES

Please register by October 30, 2026 to ensure availability of conference materials.

Download the Brochure Here