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G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 • G R A P H I C S P R O 4 9 You already get GRAPHICS PRO magazine, but are you missing out on more? Make sure you're signed up for the GRAPHICS PRO Today newsletter for valuable content, including: • Technique-focused tips and tricks • Design and software guidance • Business management know-how • Current news on continuing education and trends in the industry • Videos from around the industry • The GRAPHICS PRO Files podcast And so much more! Use this QR code to verify your email and ensure that you receive GRAPHICS PRO Today Or, go to graphics-pro.com/today valuable purpose. Banners provide a foot in the door and are an effective launch pad for larger, more custom projects like dimensional logos in an athletic facility, custom locker tags for each athlete, or a weather-resistant outdoor display at the back of the dugout area. In the future, the Giffords anticipate more creative solutions within the awards and recognition category, plus growth within digital projects. "As school facilities are being physi- cally upgraded, they are weighing mod- ern options in décor and award displays," Garret says. "ese days, we can print on various materials and install them in a dimensional way that highlights the school, league championships, and All-Americans differently compared to years past." The owners also foresee more digi- tal projects in the future. Recently, the duo completed two electronic scoreboard projects for local schools. e technology, they say, is evolving in leaps and bounds, providing teams with the opportunity to play back highlights, promote sponsors and capture the audience. "So, there are opportunities within opportunities," Garret says. "Whenever we have sales representatives on campus, I tell them knock to the left and knock to the right. If you're scheduled to meet with one coach, ask him or her to intro- duce you to another." e goal, he says, is to meet in person with the prospective customer. en sales associates can have important situational conversations that a detached online solu- tion does not offer, i.e., when a customer may or may not want to consider mesh for a project based on the amount of wind, proposed mounting, or harsh afternoon sunlight threatening to wash out the graphics. While these relationships start on the business front, oftentimes they are cul- tivated in communal areas like vol- unteerism, charitable fundraising and sponsorship. "We'll entertain the latter as part of our own marketing strategy and growing foundational relationships," Garret says. "But bottom line: it's not an overnight kind of thing to get in the door and once you are, it's genuine, meaningful relation- ship building that keeps the partnership active — even if that person should leave and go to another school or team." "at happens a lot within this commu- nity," he continues. "So, if you've estab- lished a rapport with one athletic director, coach, or principal, then the hope is for them to take you along to the next pro- fessional venture while still referring you to their successor — that's the goal." GP We not only but also can generate everything in house. We can easily develop samples and review different options with clients. control the entire proce