Episode 24 with Ford Bowers of PRINTING United Alliance

In this episode, Colin Sinclair McDermott speaks with Ford Bowers, CEO of PRINTING United Alliance, about his unconventional path into print, the lessons he learned running production operations, and why he believes the industry is stronger when it works together.

Ford also shares the thinking behind Printing United Expo, the challenges of membership growth, and why advocacy, workforce development, and promoting print as essential are now central to the alliance’s mission.

Key Topics Covered

• How Ford accidentally entered the print industry
• Learning print production from the ground up
• Managing a vertically integrated retail print operation
• The collegial, supportive culture within print
• The difference between running a print business and leading an association
• How SGIA evolved into Printing United Alliance
• Why unified industry advocacy matters
• Workforce development and attracting new talent
• The role of Printing United Expo in the industry
• Membership growth, value, and the challenge of long-term engagement