Expo Bound: One Printing Industry Student Shares Their Experience

PRINTING United Expo is set to take over Orlando, Florida, October 22-24. Attendees are gearing up for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration.

As a lead-up to the Expo, we are sharing a series of Q&A interviews featuring attendees from a variety of backgrounds explaining why they are attending the Expo, what they hope to learn, and what excites them about the upcoming event.

Riley Habermehl
Printing Industry Student, Ferris State University
Sales Representative
Royle Printing, Sun Prairie, WI

Printing Impressions (PI): Tell me about your experience in the printing industry. Are you still a student? Are you currently working in the industry?

Riley Habermehl: Within my first few years in the industry, my experiences have been truly transformative, helping me grow both academically and professionally. I’m currently a senior at Ferris State University, pursuing a degree in Graphic Media Management. Throughout my time in the program, I have completed two internships, one in a large-format print shop and another at Royle Printing, a commercial web printer specializing in magazines and catalogs. During my internship at Royle, I was able to deepen my knowledge of web offset printing and was fortunate to secure a full-time sales position with the company following my graduation in spring 2026. I am currently working part-time in sales at Royle, allowing me to stay engaged with the company and continue building relationships with prospective customers.

PI: What made you want to attend this year's Expo?

Habermehl: The Expo draws me in with its impressive showcase of new and improved printing technologies. I find it highly valuable to stay current with industry trends, and attending the Expo is one of the best ways to do that. As someone new to the industry, I also see the Expo as an excellent opportunity to network and continue growing my professional connections.

PI: If you're a first-time attendee, what are you hoping to learn? If you're returning, what brings you back?

Habermehl: This will be my second time attending the Expo, as I was fortunate to participate last year in Las Vegas alongside other students from Ferris State University. During my first visit, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but the experience proved to be both memorable and inspiring. I left already looking forward to returning. What draws me back most is the wealth of resources the Expo offers, not only through Student Day, but also through the many educational sessions and courses available to all attendees.

PI: What products or services are you most looking forward to seeing this year?

Habermehl: I’m most looking forward to seeing the latest advancements in the industry. It’s exciting to observe how printing continues to evolve and align with current technology trends.

PI: Is networking with industry peers an important reason for attending the Expo?

Habermehl: Networking is one of the main reasons I’m eager to attend the Expo. As someone new to the industry, I look forward to building meaningful, long-term connections. Now that I’m beginning my career in sales, I recognize the importance of connecting with as many people as possible to expand my professional network and resources.

PI: Are you participating in the Student Day activities?

Habermehl: I plan to participate in the Student Day activities alongside fellow students from Ferris State University. I believe Student Day is a valuable opportunity not only for students, but also for industry professionals to connect with the next generation of print leaders. Additionally, being able to network with students from print programs across the country is another great reason I’m looking forward to attending these activities.

PI: How do you hope attending will impact your career moving forward?

Habermehl: My hope is that attending the Expo will kickstart my career as I look to gain technical print knowledge as well as networking skills. My experience at last year’s Expo was very beneficial to me, so I’m looking forward to having a similar experience again.