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Registration Now Open for In-Person XPLOR21 Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida

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Lutz, FL – May 25, 2021 – Xplor International has announced that the conference website and registration are now open for their annual conference. XPLOR21 will take place in person November 16-18, 2021 at the TradeWinds Island Grand in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Attendees can register here: http://cvent.me/gRg97O

Tweet this: @Xplor_Int announces #XPLOR21 registration is open for the in-person annual conference on November 16-18, 2021 which will be held at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort (@TWResorts) in St. Pete Beach, FL http://bit.ly/3yC3Ox1 

Hailed as “The Future of Customer Communications”, the two-and-a-half-day conference brings together end-users, analysts, consultants, industry experts and vendors who will share the latest best practices and trends in the customer communications industry.

For the 2021 conference, we are picking up what we wanted to do for last year’s event by going back to basics where many Xplorers say the ‘best years’ of Xplor’s modern conferences were.  The event is being held at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in sunny St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Xplor events are known for great educational content and XPLOR21 will be no exception. The conference features a blend of general, panel and breakout sessions that address best practices and processes driving the industry.

Rapid changes in technology are driving industry trends and best practices. Understanding the technologies, trends and how to best engage your customers and prospects is critical to your success. Our 2021 Education Committee has researched the topics that are dominating our industry. Their research coupled with Xplor surveys resulted in three tracks that will cover 21 areas of focus. Those tracks include industry trends, technology, and engagement.

For more information regarding XPLOR21, or to access the registration site, please visit www.xplor.org/XPLOR21.

Interested in speaking or exhibiting? Watch for the XPLOR21 Call for Presentations announcement or email register@xplor.org to be notified once we are accepting applications. If you are interested in exhibiting, please email sales@xplor.org.

Questions should be directed to Xplor HQ via email at register@xplor.org or by phone at +1-813-949-6170, between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET), Monday through Friday.

About Xplor International
Xplor International is a not-for-profit association that provides thought leadership to the customer communications industry. As a community, Xplor provides advocacy, education, training, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Our members are decision-makers and recommenders who are involved in the conception, design, implementation production and delivery of multi-channel client, member and customer communications.

Xplor’s mission is to enhance organizational success and advance the careers of our members by providing research, publications, industry certification, professional development, web-based events, and conference programming. Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida, with affiliated offices around the world. Further information is available at www.xplor.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/XplorInternational
Twitter: twitter.com/Xplor_Int or @Xplor_Int

Xplor International Media Contact:
Chad Henk
Marketing Director
+1-813-949-6170
Chad@xplor.org

XPLOR20 to Feature New ‘Ask the Expert’ Sessions

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Lutz, FL – January 14, 2020 – Xplor International has announced that a new type of session called ‘Ask the Expert’ will be added to the XPLOR20 conference agenda.  XPLOR20 will take place April 14-16, 2020 at the TradeWinds Island Grand in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Attendees can register here: www.cvent.com/d/wyq4q8.

Tweet this: @Xplor_Int announces new #XPLOR20 session type coined ‘Ask the Expert’! These sessions are designed to be an interactive Q&A driven by you, the attendee. This year’s annual event takes place April 14-16, 2020 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort (@TWResorts) in St. Pete Beach, FL http://bit.ly/2NspxRV 

Known as The Customer Communications Conference, the two-and-a-half-day event brings together end-users, analysts, consultants, industry experts and vendors who will share the latest best practices and trends in the customer communications industry.

This year’s event will feature a new session type called ‘Ask the Expert.’  These 20-minute lightning sessions are designed to be an interactive Q&A driven by the attendees where they can ask any questions directly to vendors in the community.

Each of the XPLOR20 exhibiting companies will host a 20-minute session where attendees will quickly learn how they help their clients and will be able to get their expert advice on how to solve some of the challenges facing their organizations.

Attendees are encouraged to sit in on as many sessions as possible to make the most of the vast amount of experience available from these industry professionals.

“This new type of session is sure to be informative and interactive, giving attendees extra insight on solving problems that they see every day,” says Skip Henk, President and CEO of Xplor International. “Hearing about issues that other companies are experiencing can help you solve your own company’s challenges more quickly and efficiently.”

For more information regarding XPLOR20, or to access the registration site, please visit www.xplor.org/XPLOR20. Questions should be directed to Xplor HQ via email at events@xplor.org or by phone at +1-813-949-6170, between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET), Monday through Friday.

Vendors interested in exhibiting should contact sales@xplor.org or visit the exhibit site at www.cvent.com/d/9yqfx0.

About Xplor International
Xplor International is a not-for-profit association that provides thought leadership to the customer communications industry. As a community Xplor provides advocacy, education, training, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Our members are decision makers and recommenders who are involved in the conception, design, implementation, production and delivery of multi-channel client, member and customer communications. 

Xplor’s mission is to enhance organizational success and advance the careers of our members by providing research, publications, industry certification, professional development, web-based events and conference programming. Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida, with affiliated offices around the world. Further information is available at www.xplor.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/XplorInternational
Twitter: twitter.com/Xplor_Int or @Xplor_Int

Xplor International Media Contact:
Chad Henk
Director of Marketing
+1-813-949-6171
Chad@xplor.org

Association for PRINT Technologies to Join XPLOR19

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Lutz, FL — February 19, 2019: Xplor International today announced that attendees from the LeadingPRINT Forum, hosted by the Association for PRINT Technologies, will be joining the XPLOR19 program on Tuesday, April 23rd. XPLOR19 takes place April 23-25, 2019 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

APTech, producer of the PRINT show, will be hosting their LeadingPRINT Forum, a half-day educational program, on April 23rd and will be joining the XPLOR19 program later in the afternoon. After the educational programming, the APTech members will join XPLOR19 for a general session panel followed by networking at the opening reception, sponsored by Taylor Communications.

“We are excited to have our friends from the LeadingPRINT Forum joining us at XPLOR19,” says Skip Henk, EDP, President/CEO of Xplor International. “We have a long-standing relationship with APTech and are pleased they are in Las Vegas as part of the ISA Sign Expo and XPLOR19.” For more information regarding XPLOR19, or to access the registration site, please visit www.xplor.org/xplor19. Questions should be directed to register@xplor.org or +1-813-949-6170 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (ET), Monday through Friday. Vendors interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor can contact Xplor HQ at +1-813-949-6170 or via email at sales@xplor.org.

About Xplor International
Xplor International is a not-for-profit association that provides thought leadership to the customer communications industry. As a community, Xplor provides advocacy, education, training, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Our members are decision makers and recommenders who are involved in the conception, design, implementation, production and delivery of multi-channel client, member and customer communications.

Xplor’s mission is to enhance organizational success and advance the careers of our members by providing research, publications, industry certification, professional development, web-based events, and conference programming. Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida, with affiliated offices around the world. Further information is available at www.xplor.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/XplorInternational
Twitter: twitter.com/Xplor_Int or @Xplor_Int

Agenda Populated for XPLOR19

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Session titles, descriptions, and speakers posted

Lutz, FL – January 15, 2019 – Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today announced that their full educational agenda for XPLOR19, The Premier Event for CCM & Digital Document Professionals, is now live at http://www.cvent.com/d/vgq69b. XPLOR19 is being held April 23-25, 2019 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay.

Tweet this:  The #XPLOR19 agenda is now populated! All sessions/panels are now posted with topics, descriptions and presenters. Check out the 2019 @Xplor_Int annual event that you won’t want to miss! http://bit.ly/2VUhct6

Based on feedback from the 2018 event, Xplor is featuring three educational tracks: Business, Delivery, and Marketing Technologies. Sessions include accessibility, analytics, ADF, Design, PDF, Print/Mail Optimization, CCM Best Practices, Omni-Channel, and much more. Presenters are a diverse group of end users, industry analysts, consultants, and vendor subject matter experts.

“The 2019 agenda is very strong with great content,” says Skip Henk, President and CEO of Xplor International. “As in years past, we received twice as many submissions as slots available which made the education committee’s choices that much more difficult.”

About XPLOR19: Starting at $899 USD for a full-conference Platinum Passport, the two-and-a-half day event is the perfect blend of educational sessions, panel discussions, general sessions, and networking events. Features include:

  • 40+ Educational Sessions
  • Panel Discussions and General Sessions
  • 35+ Industry Partners in the Vendor Forum
  • Two Evening Networking Events
  • A Networking Luncheon
  • A special partnership with ISA’s Sign Expo 2019

For more information regarding XPLOR19, or to access the registration site, please visit www.xplor.org/Xplor19. Questions should be directed to Register@xplor.org or +1-813-949-6170 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (ET), Monday through Friday.

Vendors interested in being an exhibitor or a sponsor should contact sales@xplor.org.

About Xplor International
Xplor International is a not-for-profit association that provides thought leadership to the customer communications industry. As a community Xplor provides advocacy, education, training, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Our members are decision makers and recommenders who are involved in the conception, design, implementation production and delivery of multi-channel client, member and customer communications.

Xplor’s mission is to enhance organizational success and advance the careers of our members by providing research, publications, industry certification, professional development, web-based events, and conference programming. Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida, with affiliated offices around the world. Further information is available at www.xplor.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/XplorInternational
Twitter: twitter.com/Xplor_Int or @Xplor_Int

The Xploration Tour is coming to Toronto on October 24th in Conjunction with Xplor Canada’s Fall Meet-up

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First Canadian stop will dive into the latest trends and best practices in Customer Communication Management

Lutz, FL – September 27, 2018 – Xplor International, today announced the Xploration Tour will make its first-ever stop in Canada on October 24, 2018. The event will be held at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, ON and front-end Xplor Canada’s Fall Meet-up. Attendees can register here: http://www.cvent.com/d/mgq1yb

Attendees will have the choice to attend the Xploration Tour Toronto from 11am to 5:30pm, Xplor Canada’s Fall Meet-up from 4:30 to 9pm, or both. The one hour overlap will feature a panel session moderated by Pat McGrew of Keypoint Intelligence and attendees of both events are welcome.

The Xploration Tour Toronto is co-sponsored by Crawford Technologies and Messagepoint. Crawford Technologies is also sponsoring Canada’s Fall Meet-up.

The 2018 Xploration Tour, from 11am to 5:30pm, will delve into the latest trends and best practices in Customer Communications. CCM is no longer an option and is playing a more integral role in the Customer Experience.

The event will begin with a session presented by Keypoint Intelligence, who will share their latest research, which will then be followed by lunch. Two additional sessions will focus on industry trends as speakers share their thoughts on why CCM is important, how companies can get started, and what the best practices are when implementing a CCM strategy. The Xploration Tour will finally wrap up with a panel moderated by Pat McGrew.

As the Xploration Tour wraps up, Xplor Canada will begin their fall meet-up from 4:30pm to 9pm. Xplor International has invited all of the fall meet-up attendees to attend their closing session in which Pat McGrew of Keypoint Intelligence will be moderating a panel that sums up the day’s findings. Following this session, Xplor Canada will begin dinner and networking before watching the horse races!

“CCM is no longer an option. Companies that are not looking at it are behind curve”, says Skip Henk, President/CEO of Xplor International, “Whether a company already has or is looking to implement and/or enhance their CCM strategy, this one-day event will provide insight and direction.”

For more information about the Xploration Tour, visit the Toronto Tour website.

For information on becoming a future Xploration Tour sponsor, please contact Lou Brandow, Director of Sales, at Lou@xplor.org  or +1-352-246-5298.

About Xplor International
Xplor International is a not-for-profit association that provides thought leadership to the customer communications industry. As a community Xplor provides advocacy, education, training, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Our members are decision makers and recommenders who are involved in the conception, design, implementation production and delivery of multi-channel client, member and customer communications.

Xplor’s mission is to enhance organizational success and advance the careers of our members by providing research, publications, industry certification, professional development, web-based events, and conference programming. Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida, with affiliated offices around the world. Further information is available at www.xplor.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/XplorInternational
Twitter: twitter.com/Xplor_Int or @Xplor_Int

Xplor International Media Contact:
Chad Henk
Director of Marketing
+1-813-949-6171
Chad@xplor.org

Want To Earn More Money? Attend A Conference!

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Submitted by Skip Henk, EDP, President/CEO of Xplor International
March 2, 2015

A couple weeks ago I read the 2015 InPlant Salary Survey and certainly was heartened to find that salaries are in fact on the rise. In fact, in the InPlant world, they have risen 9.9% over the last two years.IP_Clip

The survey was very well done and included a wide variety of statistics. InPlant did their typical great job. Of particular interest to me was that of the 231 usable responses, 44% of the managers who attended conferences (up from 27.5% in 2013) made 17.2% more than those that did not. That is a significant number.

The question is why?

Today, one can go to the internet and find almost anything they wish. The internet has become the go to source for information but as Albert Einstein once said “Information is not knowledge.”

To experience knowledge one must not only find facts and information but also acquire skills through experience or education.

So it simply makes sense that those who invest in expanding their knowledge by attending conferences, and learning from the experiences of others are more invaluable to their company.

Besides making more money, Why Attend A Conference?

  • Conference attendees benefit from people who have the same challenges and are willing to share them in order to help others learn from their experience. To learn what to do as well as what not to do.
  • Meeting people face to face and expanding ones professional network has many benefits that will impact your career. Your professional network can become a sounding board, a venue for new ideas, a place to find solutions or in some cases a future employee (or employer).
  • A good conference is a great place to keep up on all the latest technologies and trends.

Just one idea from a conference event can save or make a company a great deal of money. Here is what just one attendee stated after a conference.

“XPLOR one year gave me answers to take home a $500 Million dollar savings to my company! That being said, I was nominated employee of the year!” – Gene

All conferences are not created (or executed) equally

Attending a conference is an investment, one that can pay big dividends but all conferences are not created equal. When choosing a conference you should look for several things.

  • Does the agenda have topics of relevant interest?
  • Are there sessions that will take you beyond what you are doing today? Expand your knowledge of the industry.
  • Are the educational sessions a blend of users and vendors speaking?
  • Are there plenty of networking activities?
  • Does the agenda include best practices and industry trends?
  • Will you walk away with new ideas and motivation?

Yes, I am a bit biased. 

Being the president of Xplor, I may be a bit prejudiced but I believe Xploration® 15 is a unique event that encompasses all six points mentioned above “when choosing a conference”, because it was designed that way.

“The conference content is selected by our members, Xplor HQ just handles the logistics.”

Xploration 15 is April 14-16th at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive in sunny Orlando Florida.

  • 60+ Educational Sessions
    • Featuring end users, industry analysts and subject matter experts
  • Daily Networking Events: The number one networking conference in the industry!
    • (2) evening events, (2) lunches and (1) breakfast
  • 35+ Industry Partners in the Vendor Forum
    • Meet with leading edge vendors
  • Motivational & Industry Keynotes
    • Devon Harris, three-time Olympian and 1988 Jamaican Bobsled team member which inspired the Disney movie “Cool Runnings”
    • John Biehler, Top 10 Influencer in 3D Printing
  • Acadami’s Electronic Document (BOK): Production Workflow Basics Track
    • A great program for anyone who wants to get a better “end to end” understanding of the document lifecycle.
  • Optional Pre-Conference Courses
    • Print Media Centr – Rescue Your Printshop ROI Workshop
    • Madison Advisors – CCM Intensive

For more information, or to register, please visit the conference website.

Hope to see you in Orlando April 14-16, 2015 ….. (If not, at some conference somewhere)

skip_Henk_Photo_2011

 

Skip Henk, EDP
Xplor President/CEO

FACETIME IS NOT ALWAYS AN APP

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Tucson-skip-henk-xplorLast week I returned from the Imaging Network Conference in Tucson convinced once again there is no substitution for “face timing” with peers. Not FaceTime the app, I mean the original face time. Sitting down and meeting with your peers, bending an elbow together, sharing ideas and taking discussions where virtual is incapable of going..

With Xploration 14 three weeks away I did not have the time nor did I want to make the time to go. I decided to go anyway.

One Idea, One Contact and One Problem Solved

It would have not only been a personal mistake not going to Tucson but a loss for Xplor as well. My time in Tucson netted me one GREAT idea and a new contact for expanding one of our programs. I was also able to solve an ongoing problem and even had time for a bit of fun. Sounds like I was doing what I am paid to do. My job.

It is too early to tell but my $2000 “face timing” investment has great potential:

  • The idea I came away with will generate $20-40k a year in revenue for the association
  • The problem I solved should save $6-10k in direct expense per year
  • My new contact for expanding online programming could significantly change Xplor’s online model.

It Is All About Face-Time

The internet is great for doing research but it can only take you so far. Could I have been as successful online?  No, I would not. My success in Tucson was about showing up. Face time.

Let’s not forget the bit of fun I had. Some ING attendees simply did a nature walk in the desert. Others a short cattle drive. I elected to do a bit of four wheeling in the desert. Had fun, relaxed and returned to the conference the next morning all in one piece, rested and content.

The Moral of the Story

Getting out of the office and participating in industry events is something you should make time for in order to do your job. It is empowering.  When you do attend, have an objective. A problem to solve, someone you want to meet or just be intent on finding that one idea that will pay dividends.

If you want to empower yourself and enjoy some warm weather there is still time to register for Xploration 14, March 25-27 at the Wyndham Resort Hotel International Dr. Interested, email me at skip@xplor.org and I will give you a special discount code just for listening.

Hope to see you in Orlando.