SEMA – Great way to end the year
SEMA 2009 just came to a close and what a great show. Since it was a car show I didn't know what kind of response people would have to my demos and the Carwraps Business Builder that Mutoh launched at this show. To my very pleasant surprise it was the best show of the year both in the size of the crowds and how people really get the program and are excited by it. I did my 2 demos a day with the help of Sandra Schreuder, one of my favorite installers who was in town from the Netherlands. She came here with her boyfriend, Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands. For the demos I used Oracal film that was printed on a Valuejet. Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, would take over the mic when Sandra and I would wrap the passenger side. Todd LaBrie would explain in detail about the Carwraps Business Builder that now comes free with a Mutoh printer. Essentially it is: for one year, any new Mutoh customer gets access to the HD installation videos I created, Todd LaBrie's design videos, discount for hands-on training and then, after a testing period, the printers/installers get listed on Carwraps which is America's #1 website. This will generate leads for the customers. This separates Mutoh from every other printer out there in that their customers get a great printer, they will learn how to design/install and get leads. A business in a box. Cool stuff.
I'm looking forward to relaxing tonight and tomorrow then flying to Sign Warehouse for the sold out hands-on workshop which is sponsored by Mutoh and Avery. After all the hardwork this year, its nice to see things start to really come together. Viva Las Vegas.
Getting ready for SEMA and the Sign Warehouse workshop
I'm getting everything ready for my next trip to the States. From Nov.3-6 I will be doing demos for Mutoh at the SEMA show, the world's largest car show. In the booth I will be wrapping either a race car or a Ford Mustang with Oracal film. Joining me for a few days in the booth will be Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands. Sandra Schreuder, Niels' girlfriend, will also be helping out. She's one of the best installers I know so having both of them there will be super cool. They will have lots of tricks to show. After Vegas I will fly to Texas for the workshop at Sign Warehouse from Nov. 9-11. Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, will teach design for the first day and I will teach installation for the remaining 2 days. The class sold out very quickly which is a great way to end the last workshop of the year. Mutoh is finalizing the schedule for next year so I'll post it as soon as it comes out.
SGIA sign show – New Olreans – Done
I am back at the hotel after finishing the 3 day SGIA show here in New Orleans. I did 2 demos a day in the Mutoh booth putting on Arlon's film.
This was a very enjoyable show for me on many levels. One, people are really starting to get this instructional platform that is on www.carwraps.net and with Mutoh printers. Two, a lot of the legends from the installation side of the industry were here like Peter Cree and Rob Ivers. It was nice to be able to meet all of them after hearing about them for years. Being able to talk to vetrans of the industry and swap ideas and techniques is a rare treat.
Getting ready for the SGIA show in New Orleans
I'm getting things ready for when I have to leave on Tuesday for the SGIA show in New Orleans. The sign show runs from Oct. 7-9. I will be doing demos in Mutoh's booth twice a day. In the morning session I will talk about the tools I like to use then in the afternoon session I will wrap the driver side of the car in 25 minutes while Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, talks to the crowd about the training platform at www.carwraps.net. I have 2 new videos that will be added to the Techniques and Tips training series I created - removals and vinyl cutouts. Exciting times for what I've heard is an exciting city. Looking forward to it on many levels.
3 New Videos and Finalizing Production of New DVD
An exciting day for me. I finish editing 3 new training videos - Vinyl Cutouts, Removals and Post Install Tips. I will be doing this with Danny Hollander, the superstar editor/cameraman who made the previous videos for Techniques and Tips: Vehicle Graphic Installations.
We will also be working on reconfiguring the online videos into a DVD. I find the editing/creative process of making videos and DVDs to be very challenging and gratifying. I never realized how much effort, time and thought goes into making videos. It looks so simple but, believe me, its not. I'm lucky to have Danny on my side.
Print Expo 2009 in Chicago a Turning Point
Afternoon Speedwrap Demo
I did demonstrations in Mutoh's booth to promote the new HD online streaming videos, Techniques and Tips: Vehicle Graphic Installations. Their home is on the Carwraps webisite - www.carwraps.net. Over the course of the 6 day show, I noticed a tangible turning point for this project.
We (Carwraps and myself in conjunction with Mutoh) launched this project about a month ago. Since it was a new project, people took some time to understand the focus and message of the instructional platform.
At one point during the show, I could just see that click, both in the audience and with people from the industry. The wheels are really starting to turn. Exciting stuff.
ISA Sign Show – Las Vegas
Mutoh Demo
From April 16-18, Justin did demonstrations in the Mutoh booth at the ISA sign show in Las Vegas.
In addition to the demos, Justin, along with Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy Sleeve, the premiere installation company in the Netherlands, wrapped a Toyota Prius in 1 hour, 29 minutes to show the Speedwrapping system in realtime.
Around 200 people crowded around the Mutoh booth to watch while Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps talked about the process along with his new webinars that he is doing with Mutoh in May (www.mutoh.com).
New Demos and Workshops
Justin will be teaching a workshop in Los Angeles on August 6 and 7. The workshop is being hosted by Mutoh and Carwraps as part of their nationwide program to teach people the skills of graphic installation. It is a two day intensive workshop that provides attendeess with hands on training. Justin will clearly explain his Universal Graphic Installation System that allows an installer to work on any vehicle and achieve top level quality and reduce mistakes. Justin has used this system to wrap over 2000 vehicles both in the U.S. and in Europe.
New Instructional Videos
Introducing for the FIRST TIME EVER…
MUTOH’s Video Car Wrap Training Series
Phoenix, AZ. (July, 2009) –
Mutoh America has teamed up with industry experts, Justin Pate, one of the top graphic installers in the world, and Todd LaBrie, President of Carwraps, Inc., to introduce for the FIRST TIME EVER, online Video Car Wrap Training Series. Monthly membership includes UNLIMITED access to ALL design, production, and installation videos for only $199/month or $29.95/day.
Mutoh’s Video Car Wrap Training offers first class, professional methods to reduce vehicle graphic design time and expand productivity without the inconvenience of traveling or high costs associated to learn this exciting advertising medium.