For this edition of Fresh Perspectives, we hear from someone on the other side of the pond – Carly O’Neill, communications coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance, who speaks about her experience in the print industry, following a successful PRINTING United Expo in 2025
Like for many journalists, that moment when you switch from the interviewer to the interviewee truly feels like a full-circle moment – especially when your career began as features editor of your student-run college newspaper. I’ve always loved sharing people’s stories, and I think that love is ultimately what led me to the printing industry.
From working at a local news station shortly after graduating from Millersville University with a bachelor’s degree in media arts production, where I got to strengthen my interview and article writing abilities, to working in marketing, where I got to build community relationships and coordinate events, I’ve always been drawn to making connections and bringing people together through communication.
All of that is exactly what I continue to do as the communications coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance, an organisation that supports and advocates for the print industry, while bringing everyone together under one roof annually for PRINTING United Expo – the most comprehensive printing event in the world.
But when I started at the Alliance in 2023, my understanding of printing was still limited to newspapers, magazines, and books. The sheer size of the industry didn’t really hit me until my first PRINTING United Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.
James Martin, group president, Association at PRINTING United Alliance, offered to give me a tour of the show floor during the event, and I was in awe of all the massive printing technology in action. I specifically remember being intrigued by this octopus-looking machine (which I later learned was M&R’s automatic screen printing press) and thinking how cool the t-shirt-making process was. Needless to say, I was quickly immersed and intrigued by over a million square feet of equipment, technology, and innovation on display.
Before Expo, my first behind-the-scenes exposure to print was at Anro’s commercial printing facility, an Alliance member based in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Mark Subers, chief innovation officer at PRINTING United Alliance, was kind enough to organise a tour of the facility for all the Alliance’s newbies to give us an up-close look at the industry we were now a part of. Throughout the tour led by Anro’s chief operating officer, Jim Spinelli, and director, David Spinelli Jr., we got to see Anro’s commercial printing services in real-time through offset presses, finishing and bindery equipment, and much more. They even sent us home with a little swag bag, including two massive Anro pens that I still save for signing my most “official” documents.
Two years later, I’m now involved in and oversee several different programs at the Alliance. Coming from a news background, I was extremely passionate about getting in front of the camera and shared this with my supervisor, the Alliance’s vice president of public relations, Amanda Kliegl. She was completely supportive and when the 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.
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.
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
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.
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!
