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Call for Proposals | 2027 International Personalization Expo

2027 APA Expo Call for Proposals Submit a Proposal to Speak at the International Personalization Expo Horseshoe Las Vegas | February 23–26, 2027 The Awards and Personalization Association (APA) is now accepting education proposals for the 2027 International Personalization Expo, taking place February 23–26, 2027 at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. The APA Expo is the personalization industry’s must-attend event, bringing together retailers, suppliers, and vendors focused on small‑format personalization. The Call for Proposals invites industry professionals to share practical knowledge, real‑world experience, and proven techniques with a highly engaged audience. Submit a Proposal The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, July 27. Call for Proposals Overview APA is seeking education sessions that focus on the “how‑to” of what personalization professionals do best. The 2027 Call for Proposals emphasizes actionable learning, skill‑building, and real‑world application. Proposals may include: Back‑to‑basics techniques and foundational skills Practical shop applications and workflows Software and equipment deep dives Sales and business strategy sessions Marketing approaches for personalization businesses Emerging tools and technologies valued by today’s maker community and trophy shops Sessions should provide attendees with insights they can apply immediately in their businesses. Who Should Submit a Proposal APA encourages proposals from professionals across the personalization and awards industry, including: Retailers and shop owners Suppliers and manufacturers Industry vendors and service providers Makers and customization specialists Business, sales, marketing, and production leaders Whether you are new to presenting or a returning APA Expo speaker, your perspective can help strengthen education and connection across the industry. Session Levels and Focus Proposals may be designed for: Beginner audiences building core skills Intermediate audiences looking to refine processes Advanced audiences ready for deeper technical or strategic exploration All sessions should prioritize: Meaningful skill‑building Practical, real‑world problem solving Fostering connection and shared learning within the personalization industry Submit Your Proposal Education proposals for the 2027 APA Expo in Las Vegas are now open . If you have any questions, please contact Alisha Coplin, Education Manager, at acoplin@personalizationpros.org

Shopify Made Simple: How to Launch Your Store, Optimize Your Listings, and Customize Your Page

Starting a Shopify store can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out how to organize products, write listings that actually get found, and create a shopping experience that makes customers want to click “add to cart.” In this practical, step-by-step webinar, Heather Bennett will walk you through the essentials of building a Shopify store that works for your handmade or creative business. You’ll learn how to set up your site, write product listings with strong seach engine optimization (SEO) so customers can find you, organize your store using collections and tags, and add customization options to make your products even more appealing. Whether you’re just getting started or want to clean up and streamline your current store, this training will give you actionable strategies to help your Shopify site feel more organized, professional, and ready to sell. By the end of this webinar, participants will: Understand the key steps to setting up a Shopify store for a handmade or creative business Learn how to write product listings using strong SEO so customers can find their products online Discover how to use collections and tags to organize their store and improve the shopping experience Learn how to add product customization options to increase perceived value and sales Gain practical tips to streamline product listings and make their Shopify store easier to manage as it grows

Basics of Editing Vector Paths in Adobe Illustrator

Would you like to learn more about what's under the hood in your vector files? This webinar will teach you the fundamentals of Illustrator, and why it's important to have a baseline understanding of how to make the paths do what you what. We'll cover how to create and manipulate vector paths and Bezier curves using such tools as the Pen tool, the Reshape tool, Shape Builder, how to convert anchor points, round corners, and manipulate point handles. We'll also touch on the Appearance panel, when to work in Outline Mode, and how and when to expand shapes.