With 14 tracks, 152 sessions and a strong packaging focus, Connect 2026 – hosted by Graphic Communications and ePS in Las Vegas on 10-12 February – once again positioned itself as one of the most enduring and strategically important user conferences in the print and packaging software space.
Attended by more than 518 industry professionals and supported by 16 partners, the 26th annual event delivered a clear message – productivity, automation and AI are no longer optional conversations. They are central to the future competitiveness of print service providers.
Veteran industry consultant David Zwang, who attended Connect on behalf of Print21, reports that the tone of the event was both pragmatic and forward-looking. Software roadmaps, diversification strategies and AI-enabled workflow improvements dominated discussions across both the Graphic Communications and ePS platforms.
Diversification delivers measurable gains
One of the strongest themes emerging from the conference, according to Zwang, was diversification – sometimes referred to as convergence. As traditional print markets continue to contract, many PSPs are expanding into adjacent segments to create more resilient revenue streams.
Industry data presented during the event showed that businesses pursuing diversification have, on average, achieved a 16.7 per cent increase in revenues and an 11.1 per cent lift in profitability.
For many attendees, Zwang says, that statistic alone underscored the urgency of modernising both equipment and software infrastructure.
2026: The year of AI agents?
AI was another headline topic. In a keynote that drew strong interest, attendees were challenged to rethink their “AI strategy” and instead ask: What is your AI agent strategy?
Live demonstrations showed how rapidly AI tools are evolving – from automation pipelines to business process optimisation. While speakers cautioned about governance and oversight, the message was clear: the time to experiment and build internal capability is now.
Both Graphic Communications and ePS also outlined significant AI-focused development plans for 2026, signalling that AI-enabled features will move from exploratory to embedded across their platforms.
Roadmaps, integration and customer collaboration
Beyond AI, a major focus remains workflow automation and integration. Nearly 50 major features delivered in 2025 were centred on workflow and integration improvements, with further enhancements planned for 2026.
New initiatives such as the Aha Ideas Portal and Genie AI-powered guidance tools reflect a growing emphasis on customer collaboration and usability.
Look out for the comprehensive report by David Zwang in the upcoming March-April issue of Print21.