Education Schedule
Education Schedule The APA Expo kicks off on Tuesday, February 23 with a full day of general education sessions. The show floor will open the following day on Wednesday, February 25
- Tuesday, February 23 | 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 24 | 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Thursday, February 25 | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Trade Show Floor Hours
- Wednesday, February 24 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday, February 25 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday, February 26 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Networking Opportunities
Some of the best connections at APA Expo happen in the aisles, lobbies, and nearby spots, but the Expo also hosts great networking events where ideas and opportunities are shared.
- First Time Attendee Welcome | Wednesday, February 24
- Party on the Show Floor | Wednesday, February 24
- New Product Showcase | Wednesday, February 24 – Friday, February 26
- Awards Celebration | Thursday, February 25
- APA Member Breakfast | Friday, February 26
Explore the Schedule
We invite you to explore the schedule to get a sense of the type of programs offered each year. Whether you’re a seasoned personalization professional or just starting your journey, there’s always something for everyone.
2027 Schedule Coming Soon
Monday, February 22, 2027
5:00–7:00 PM
Registration Open
Tuesday, February 23, 2027
7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Registration Open
7:30-9:00 AM
UV Printing: Lowering the Barrier of Entry
From Prompt to Production: Turning AI Artwork into Laser-Ready and UV-Ready Files
9:30-11:00 AM
From Design to Production: How AI Is Changing the Laser Workflow
Still Standing: 25 Years of Hard-Won Small Business Lessons for Makers
12:30-2:00 PM
Advanced Artwork Engineering for Engraving & Personalization
Stop Guessing, Start Growing: How to Use Your Business Data to Make Better Decisions
2:30-4:00 PM
Should You Add Embroidery? A Real Talk for Awards, Trophy & Laser Shops
The Dark Side of eCommerce No One Talks About
4:30-6:00 PM
CorelDRAW: Master Hot Keys and Macros to Work Faster
Panel: DTF & UV DTF: Unlocking New Markets, New Products, and New Revenue
Wednesday, February 24, 2027
7:00 AM–4:30 PM
Registration Open
7:30-10 AM
7:30-8:30 AM
Proven, Practical & Profitable: From Commodity to Custom Using UV Printing and Laser Engraving
8:00 AM–4:30 PM
9:00-10:00 AM
Buying a Legacy Business: What We Learned Acquiring and Integrating Three Awards Shops
Lightburn & CorelDRAW: Design Smarter, Laser Better
Beyond Awards: Growing Your Business Through Diversification
10:00 AM-4:30 PM
1:00-2:00 PM
4:30-6:00 PM
Thursday, February 25, 2027
7:00 AM–4:30 PM
Registration Open
7:30-10:00 AM
Hands-On Embroidery School: From Blank to Branded
Color Fill Techniques: Hands-On Workshop for Sandcarved Products
7:30-8:30AM
From Side Hustle to B2B: Scaling a Laser Business
How To Build Websites In The Age of AI
8:00 AM–4:30 PM
9:00-10:30 AM
Your Store’s New Assistant: 3 Ways to Use Claude AI to Improve Your Shopify Site
Glass 101: Realistic Expectations
Personalization Pros Roundtable Discussion
10:00 AM-4:30 PM
6:00-7:30 PM
Gold Obelisk Award Celebration
Friday, February 26, 2027
7:30 AM–12:00 PM
Registration Open
8:00 AM-9:30 AM
APA Member Breakfast and Annual Meeting
8:00 AM–12:00 PM
ARIEF Silent Auction Item Pickup
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
