Sean Kouplen - Keynote Speaker

Sean Kouplen is the Chairman & CEO of Regent Bank, Oklahoma’s Past Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development, a best-selling author and an active small business investor.

In 2008, Kouplen led an investor group that purchased 110-year old Regent Bank in Nowata, OK. Since that time, the bank has expanded to seven markets throughout Oklahoma and Missouri and has grown from $72 million to over $1.6 billion in assets- making it one of America’s fastest-growing banks. Regent Bank has won many awards including Inc Magazine’s Best Places to Work and the Central United States Community Bank of the Year.

In his governor-appointed role as Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, Kouplen oversaw 36 state agencies who lead the economic development, community development and workforce development efforts for the state of Oklahoma.

Kouplen was the head coach of the 2022 Oklahoma Little League World Series that achieved global fame because of Isaiah Jarvis’ hug felt around the world. He also holds a black belt in taekwondo!

Kouplen holds numerous local and statewide leadership positions, including Chairman of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, Oklahoma Bankers Association, Tulsa Community College Foundation, First Americans Museum, and an Elder and “Backup Preacher” at Southpoint Church in Bixby.

Kouplen’s awards include Journal Record’s Most Admired CEO Award, his fraternity’s top national alumni award, and Citizen of the Year in Bixby, OK.

Kouplen has written four popular books, hosts a nationwide podcast called Kingdom Driven CEO, and leads a daily call-in devotional that has reached thousands in all 50 states and four foreign countries.

Kouplen recently launched a nationwide faith in work movement called 94X that is rapidly spreading throughout the country.

Sean has been married to Angela for 25 years and they have three children- Emory (20), Kennedy (17) and Finley (14).

Randy Derrick - Keynote Speaker

CEO + Speaker + Author +Podcast Host

Randy has a true "rags to riches" story. One you won't want to miss. "You can have anything in life that you want, if you're willing to help enough other people get what they want". Randy Detrick lives his life by these words. His hero is his mom who is the most upbeat, positive, enthusiastic, and excited for life person he's ever known. Randy's mission is to add value to others. To fulfill this mission, Randy presents on topics of hope, trust, and enthusiasm for life. It all started with mom, giving him the advice to 'pursue all your dreams with all your imagination and to never let the false sense of fear interfere with your life. Randy has had the honor to race the World Cup in ski racing, be the president of his own medical equipment business, and now is the president of the 13th top ranked winery in the nation- Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery

Gordon Firemark

Gordon Firemark practices entertainment and media law in Los Angeles and is devoted to the representation of clients in film, television, theatre, and new media. He helps creative industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed. His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business transactions, and corporate matters for clients in the fields of media, entertainment, content and digital business. He holds a B.A. in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Oregon, and earned his law degree at Southwestern University School of Law. He teaches Entertainment Law at Columbia College Hollywood, Contract law at Pepperdine Law School and intellectual property law at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Before starting his own firm, he was a partner in The Business Affairs Group, and worked in the legal and business affairs departments at Hanna-Barbera Productions and the MGM/UA Worldwide Television Group. Mr. Firemark is frequently referred to as “The Podcast Lawyer™”, and is the author of The Podcast, Blog, & New Media Producers’ Legal Survival Guide. (Https://podcastlawbook.comOpens in new window and redirects to external site.) He is also a podcaster himself. Since 2009, he has produced and hosted “Entertainment Law Update” (http://entertainmentlawupdate.comOpens in new window and redirects to external site.), which provides a monthly roundup of news and commentary about the field of entertainment law for artists, lawyers, and other professionals in the industry.

Lily Hunter - Epson America

With over 25 years in the wide-format graphics industry, Lily Hunter is product manager at Epson overseeing the SureColor F-Series printers, a portfolio encompassing over a dozen direct-to-garment, direct-to-film and dye-sublimation printers. In her role, she is responsible for product development, go-to-market strategies and managing cross-functional teams. Previously, Hunter held product management positions at Roland DGA and Arlon Graphics. Approaching her work with strategic thinking, integrity and care, Hunter focuses on teamwork, curiosity and details, with an eye toward setting up building blocks for a stronger and better future.

Caitlyn Tuohy

Caitlin is the Marketing Manager at Johnson Plastics Plus and has been with the company for five years. She is passionate about laser engraving and enjoys sharing her expertise in the field.

Jackie Faeth

Jackie has been with Johnson Plastics Plus for five years and serves as a Marketing Coordinator. Her love for color perfectly complements her passion for sublimation technology.

David Gross

David Gross is the former president of Condé Systems Inc. For more than 30 years he has developed and built the Mobile, Alabama based company into the premier source for printers, substrates, and consumables serving the personalized photo gift industry. You will have an opportunity to have an up-close a personal training with one of the best in the industry. A highly sought after educator with extensive knowledge on the process and application of sublimation.

Britany Spears

In 2024, Britany, a Customer Success Specialist at Johnson Plastics Plus, joined our team, bringing extensive experience in garment printing, including expertise in screen printing and direct-to-garment printing.

Stephanie Young

Stephanie Young, self proclaimed “Professional Crafter”. Stephanie is the Craft Coordinator for Siser North America, which is the industry leader in HTV and PSV vinyl. She is also a licensed Silhouette Instructor and currently providing video instruction on Siser’s newest products. Siser has launched their own electronic cutters, Romeo and Juliet. Stephanie educates on all things vinyl, embroidery and sublimation and offers helpful tips and tricks no matter what the topic is. If you want to have a great class and a good time… be sure to take a class from So Stephanie Says.

Aaron Knight

Aaron Knight is the Vice President of Geo Knight & Co, a 5-generation manufacturing company established in 1885. Aaro

has designed most of the current digital line of presses at www.heatpress.com and has directed the company towards a product line that is USA-made & support-oriented. With a background in accounting and computer programming & IT, his primary focus is the factory’s industry reputation for quality heat press machinery. Married & Father of 3, he is also a private aerobatic pilot, musician, and high performance ‘track driver’.

Jessica Heldman-Beck

LJessica Heldman-Beck is the vice president of marketing and new product development for TRG (The Rowmark Group). In her role, Jessica is responsible for working with the marketing and product teams to create strategies and plans for TRG’s multiple business units, including Johnson Plastics Plus. That includes developing, planning, and executing effective product and marketing campaigns and determining metrics to measure campaign effectiveness. She also works with her teams to develop and build brand awareness and generate innovative ideas to promote TRG’s business units and products.

Jessica began her career with the Rowmark division of TRG in 2004 as a marketing coordinator and has held several roles in the marketing department in her time with the company, most recently serving as director of marketing communications for all TRG divisions. She holds a Bachelor of Art Management degree from the University of Findlay.

Jessica actively participates in her local community and the industries in which TRG is involved. She currently serves as a board member for the Awards and Personalization Association (APA) and locally is a former board member and president of Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services, a non-profit agency located in Findlay, Ohio. She is a 2007 graduate of the Hancock Leadership program and has served on the Board of Directors for Camp Fire USA of Northwest Ohio.

Jessica and her husband Chris live in Findlay, Ohio with their two children.

Carina Gardner

Carina has a Ph.D. in Design from the University of Minnesota. She taught design at the University of Minnesota and the Arts Institute before starting her design business. The Carina Gardner brand has been on dishwater, jewelry, prints, clocks, sewing patterns, and holiday products. Carina also is a well known fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs and die cut designer for Silhouette.

Carina was the Creative Director of Carta Bella Scrapbook papers. Her kids brand Mini Lou has sold products for Nordstrom, Peek Clothing, and 500 independent retailers and museums in the US.

Carina is the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to make money as they learn to design. Her popular Make and Design Podcast teaches aspiring designers how to make the transition from crafter and hobbies to profitable designer.

Charlie Myers

Charlie Myers Senior Sales Executive - Charlie Myers has been with Neenah for 28 years with in a sales role and has been involved with Digital Transfer Papers for 19 years. Charlie has been a part of the development, marketing, and sales of some of the most iconic brands in the Heat Transfer industry including JET-PRO®️ Soft Stretch, 3G JET-OPAQUE®️, and the IMAGE-CLIP®️ brands. He has a degree in Chemistry and is originally from North Carolina and now lives in Tennessee.

Kris Howard

Kristine Howard boasts an impressive 33-year tenure in the handmade craft industry. Her extensive experience includes designing wood patterns and graphics for scroll saw and laser users, as well as self-publishing PDF decorative painting patterns featured in national magazines. Additionally, she successfully manages an Etsy shop. where her exceptional work has earned her the top seller position on Etsy on numerous occasions. Kristine also brings over 15 years of retail merchandising expertise from her roles in national retail chains and craft stores, complemented by her 33 years as a craft show vendor. Furthermore, she runs a successful Facebook laser SVG group dedicated to teaching individuals how to paint, market, and brand their handmade goods both online and at craft show events.

Kristine currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her six adult children and grandchildren.

Arnold Volker

Arnold Volker as owner and CEO of Next Innovations of Walker Minnesota, Arnold has over 30 years of business and manufacturing expertise. Next Innovations was established in 2002. Through in-house manufacturing, Next Innovations has built a worldwide successful brand of Metal Wall art and Lawn and Garden Décor products. Next Innovations also does contract manufacturing for many industries. Their services include laser cutting, powder coating, and dye sublimating. Next Innovations is sharing their proven blank program and offering it to the Cottage Industry. Through the use of their proprietary paints and processes they offer a very unique line of blanks, all made in-house, in the USA.

Ashley Ciccero

Ashley Ciccero is the Sales Manager at Artesprix

I joined the Artesprix (pronounced: ahrt – eh – spree) Team in late 2018 as Sales Manager, and have since been helping grow their brand to more than just Sublimation Markers. With over 6 years sales experience and a Bachelors in Business Management, I am ready to introduce the world to Sublimation through crafting. It is exciting to be a part of this industry, as I learn more about traditional Sublimation every day. The best part about my job are the relationships I develop with makers, customers, and partners.

Doug Charles

Doug Charles, Account Executive at Advertising Specialty Institute Doug Charles has over 15 years of sales experience and has been with ASI for eight years as an account executive in Distributor Sales. His focus is on building client relationships and enhancing sales performance. Doug has been the lead representative for ASI at many trade shows, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to the industry. He also contributes by teaching education classes, sharing industry insights, and practical strategies to help businesses succeed.

Patrick Moore

Patrick Moore is no stranger to the sublimation industry. As Print Lab Manager for Beaver Paper, Moore has spent the last 6 years implementing Quality Control programs for all dye-sub related products, as well as expanding the lab’s capabilities by adding new equipment, inksets, heat presses, and RIP software. In addition, Moore is an integral part of product development efforts at Beaver Paper. He also provides invaluable technical support to their customers and sales team. Prior to Beaver Paper, Moore worked at Sawgrass Technologies for 14 years in R&D, Ink Production, and QC. Transitioning away from traditional lab work, Moore turned to industrial sublimation applications, helping integrate and optimize the dye-sub process to improve customer success and satisfaction.

Roger Wambolt

Roger Wambolt's career is the culmination of 28 years in graphic design and education. It began in the trenches at Corel, where Roger provided user support, training and championed Corel's partner programs. Over the years, he acquired extensive knowledge through his relationships with graphics professionals in many industries, including print, sublimation, screen printing, sign making, engraving, and embroidery.

A CorelDRAW Graphics Suite expert, Roger has been a popular presenter at industry trade shows. He has developed and conducted classroom training and online sessions throughout North America and has authored articles for key industry magazines, including SQE Professional, The Screen Printers Resource Guide and is a regular contributor to Trophex magazine. You can train at home with Roger using his book Bring It Home with CorelDRAW: A Guide to In-House Graphic Design or by watching his online course CorelDRAW Essential Training at www.linkedin.com/learning, in addition to his numerous tutorials on the Corel Discovery Center.

Dane Clement

Dane Clement, Vice President of Art and Creative Process for GroupeSTAHL, and former owner and president of Great Dane Graphics is well-known for his art expertise in computer graphics for various garment decoration techniques. He has been speaking and writing for the decorated apparel industry since 1995, and has authored artwork training books for various decoration methods such as Artwork for Vinyl Cutting, Artwork for DTG Printing, Artwork for White Toner Transfers, and T-shirt Artwork Simplified for Adobe and Corel users. For more information visit http://www.daneclement.com.

Sara Thompson

Sara Thompson is the UV/Laser Coordinator at JDS Industries. She has been with JDS for over 8 years and works with nearly every department, from New Products, Fabrication and Marketing with a passion for new product development and testing. She assists customers with technical support with laser settings or printing questions and helps in the creation of videos for JDS Youtube and social media. She enjoys working hands on with products to be able build a vast knowledge of as many products and processes as possible to be able to assist customers.

Jared Barbosa

Jared Barbosa is one of the country's top heat transfer professionals, with years of experience in product education and demonstration. His friendly personality and deep product knowledge have helped him become one of the industry's most recognizable online personalities. Off-screen, his heat transfer work continues at his own home-based business, where he specializes in customizing t-shirts, coffee mugs, and gift items using HTV, sublimation, Direct-to-Film, and other methods. When he's not heat pressing, you can find him playing music with his band or eating tacos with his wife and son.

Stacy Benning

Stacy Benning is a Sublimation Specialist at JDS Industries who has offered sublimation support for over 5 years. She has over 19 years of Graphic Design experience, and is highly creative, multi-talented Graphic Designer with an extensive experience in multimedia, marketing, and print design. She has experience in cross-platform issues and a vast array of design programs. She is passionate about teaching sublimation techniques, and she leads classes and workshops at tradeshows & seminars across the country. She has been featured in several how to videos on our YouTube channel. When Stacy is not attending these duties, she enjoys watching her 3 sons in all their sports and spending time outdoors with her husband camping and boating.

Lauren Kilgore

Lauren Kilgore is an accountant turned wreath maker turned Etsy expert. After 20+ years as an accountant, she recently "un-retired" to work her Etsy shop, BeautifulMesh, and coaching full-time with Handmade Sellers University. Her experience in the corporate world makes her an ideal coach for the business side of this creative world! She's been a guest speaker on Etsy in many online forums, podcasts, events, and publications.

Jamie Wisdom

Jamie Wisdom is a Technical Success Specialist at Coastal Business Supplies. With over 5 years of experience in the product decoration industry, she provides Coastal's customers with technical support for their equipment, substrates, and software for dye-sublimation and heat transfer. Jamie also oversees the testing of new heat transfer products in order to provide customers with accurate printing, cutting, and pressing instructions. In 2019, Jamie made her debut as one of the faces of Coastal's YouTube tutorial videos, and you can find her tips and tricks by following Coastal Business Supplies on YouTube.

Sarah Cannon

Sarah is the Marketing Director for Carina Gardner and as the Marketing Communications Manager and have loved learning about sublimation and all the incredible projects that can be created with our products. I worked at Silhouette America for 8 years before joining the Sawgrass Team. I love the creative industry and am excited to be a part of this event and help you get started on your sublimation journey!

Kaitlyn Mulliniks

Kaitlyn Mulliniks is an Sales Manager for Unisub and ChromaLuxe. She is responsible over 100 accounts that span across the entire geographies of the U.S. and Canada, as well as four key customer channels: distributors, photo labs, e-commerce, and fulfillers. Kaitlyn has comprehensive experience selling premium manufactured goods. She is a seasoned sales professional who is committed to excellence and building strong relationships with her customers.

Charlie Coombe

Charlie Coombe is the Director of Sales for Unisub and ChromaLuxe in the East Region of the U.S. and Canada. He is responsible for driving growth and business development with key channel partners, to include wholesale distributors, photo labs, and fulfillers. Charlie has extensive experience representing premium manufactured products, and he is passionate about creating strategic partnerships with his customers.

Joyce Kilpatrick

Joyce Kilpatrick has been a dedicated Customer Success Specialist at Johnson Plastics Plus since 2023. With a passion for problem-solving, Joyce takes great pride in helping customers resolve complex equipment issues, ensuring they can get the most out of their products. partners, to include wholesale distributors, photo labs, and fulfillers.

A Conference Like No Other

an inspirational experience for sublimation newbies, & enthusiasts alike!