By Andy Slawetsky – Nearly 100 attendees converged on Las Vegas for FP-Mailing Solutions’ annual conference, held at Caesars Palace. The event kicked off with a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, setting the tone for two days filled with sessions, new product unveilings, and plenty of networking.

A First for Fritz One of the main highlights came early: Mike Hannon, CEO of FP Mailing Solutions America, introduced the group to Friedrich “Fritz” Conzen, the German parent company’s CEO. It was the first time Fritz or any parent company CEO has attended this event in the U.S., and his enthusiasm was apparent as he shared a bit of his background and views on the industry. The crowd seemed to sense that the company’s leadership is placing greater emphasis on the American market—and with Fritz making the trip, it’s clear FP sees big potential here.

Product Spotlights and Partner Support Mike Hannon returned to the stage after Fritz, covering everything from new product launches and programs to 2025 targets. Postage volume trends, growth objectives, and opportunities for dealers were a big part of his talk. A deep dive into the new FPi 4325 included an overview during the session as well as hands on time during the breaks where the device was on display. This device drew a steady stream of onlookers, thanks to features like a high-capacity envelope feeder and a full-color touchscreen. Two generous sheet feeders round out this latest offering, and it certainly had people buzzing.

Throughout the conference, attendees were encouraged to mingle with FP’s partner sponsors, including GreatAmerica Financial Services, Hytec, and SalesChain.

Breaks were held in a product fair area, giving resellers and dealers a chance to check out displays and ask questions. The traffic never seemed to stop around the FPi 4325, proof that new devices continue to draw curious crowds.

Industry Insights and Breakout Sessions Jim Kahrs of Prosperity Plus gave a talk on the upswing in mergers and acquisitions, reinforcing what many of us have observed across office equipment and mailing industries. Companies on both sides are exploring ways to expand, and it’s not unusual to see a copier dealer buying a mailing business, or vice versa. As an example, I recall a panel I ran at a BTA conference last year featuring Rich Simons of Edge Business Systems. He shared how acquiring a mailing company turned into a great growth engine for his own organization.

Speaking of BTA, their general counsel Greg Goldberg took the stage after lunch to discuss what office equipment resellers should anticipate on the legal front in the coming years. BTA has been around for nearly a century, and attendees enjoyed hearing from someone looking at things from a legal perspective. Hoskins, BTA’s director, was also on hand, adding to the association’s presence at the event.

Breakout sessions were a big draw, with GreatAmerica hosting two well-attended presentations—one focusing on sales and another on financing. Paul Buckley of FP also drew a sizable audience for his session. These sessions gave dealers and resellers room to explore new ideas and practical tips for managing day-to-day business challenges.

Madame Tussauds: A Fun Night Out On Thursday evening, FP treated everyone to an outing at Madame Tussauds. This wasn’t your ordinary wax museum trip; we enjoyed interactive 3D rooms, shooting zombies in a virtual game, and a 4D show that kept everyone on their toes.

It was a fun night that broke up the business discussions and got us out of the casino for a bit.

Final Day and Key Takeaways The following morning featured a panel called “Dealers Acquiring Dealers,” led by Mike Stramaglio, who is well known for his own events and presence in our industry and panelists Scott Brenton from POA, TD Sieber from Postalogic and consultant Jim D’Emidio of the Dallas/Ft Worth D’Emidios. Another round of breakout sessions followed, capped off by closing remarks from Hannon. It was clear FP wanted to give attendees real-world tactics they can use, and the event certainly delivered.

A central theme throughout the conference was the importance of expanding beyond traditional offerings. While service click volumes continue their slow decline, many dealers are exploring mailing solutions to offset that drop. It’s a logical pivot—mailing equipment is still in regular demand, and it lines up nicely with the repair and maintenance model most office equipment resellers already know.

Overall, FP-Mailing Solutions put on a well-organized conference that gave everyone a chance to learn, connect, and see firsthand what’s coming down the pike. Between the new hardware, interesting sessions, and evening events, there was plenty to keep the group engaged. I took home some great memories—and a camera roll full of wax celebrity photos wearing What’s Happenin’ hats.

SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.