The Dead Pixels Society, the photo/imaging industry’s leading news source, announces the Photo Imaging CONNECT (PIC) executive conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Casino and Resort, Las Vegas, NV.
Photo Imaging CONNECT (PIC) serves as the premier executive networking conference for the photo/imaging sector. The conference unites industry leaders from printing, services, professional photography, technology, and retail for educational sessions and discussions.
“After the successful first event in 2025, event attendees clamored for another,” says Gary Pageau, editor, of the Dead Pixels Society. “This conference is a great opportunity for industry leaders to make plans for the upcoming 2026 year. Technology and trends are changing fast, and the best way to get information is through peer networking. Attendence will be limited to 75, which will keep the networking at a high level.”
Through a partnership with WPPI, PIC attendees can benefit from the WPPI room block discount at the RIO. Additionally, their PIC registration will grant them access to the WPPI trade show.
Click here to register.
Event Schedule
All activities at the RIO Hotel and Resort conference center
Sunday, March 1
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Conference welcome and presentation: How did we get here, and where are we going?
Drawing on more than 30 years of photo/imaging industry background, Gary Pageau will set the stage for the upcoming conference. What lessons can we learn from the successes and the challenges of the past? What trends are impacting the business now, and how can we, as an industry, build a strong foundation for success in 2025 and beyond?
Speaker: Gary Pageau, editor, The Dead Pixels Society
3:3o – 4:00 p.m.
Photo Prints and Photobooks in Western Europe
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Interactive Keynote: “Lean Process and Continuous Improvement in Art” with Stuart MacDonald
World-class magician and continuous improvement expert Stuart MacDonald will bring his unique presentation, “Lean Process and Continuous Improvement in Art,” to PIC. MacDonald is a TEDx speaker, “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” champion, and a Lean-certified expert in problem-solving and continuous improvement. With more than 20 years of experience on stage and in corporate innovation, MacDonald delivers performances and keynotes that challenge, inspire, and transform.
Social Gathering sponsored by Photo Finale
Monday, March 2
9:00-9:15 a.m.
Welcome
9:15-10:00 a.m.
Exit Stage Right
Part of the startup journey is to consider exit options. Apart from IPOs, what to consider when developing a proactive exit strategy? In this session, Hans Hartman will describe what different types of acquirers are looking for, the do’s and don’ts for approaching them, and the logic – or lack thereof – behind today’s valuations.
Short Break (In Room)
Coffee provided by WPPI.
10:15-11:00 a.m.
Privacy & Security: What Every Business Needs to Know
Your clients trust you with their memories, but can they trust you with their data? In this fast-paced, interactive 40-minute session, Jordan Moore, ICD.D will cut through the jargon and show why privacy and security aren’t just IT tasks; they’re smart business decisions.
11:15-12:00 p.m.
The complete picture of today’s imaging market
From capture to consumables to output and beyond, Fujifilm is engaged in the entire imaging value chain. In this session, Dwain Parrish and Devin Perpetua will provide an overview of the market from Fujifilm’s unique perspective.
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Break for lunch (on your own)
Dine at any of the fine restaurants within the RIO.
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Enabling the next generation of memories
After digitization, what happens to family memories? How can we continue to engage consumers with ways to tell their family histories and stories, using innovative technology and image-discovery tools in AI? Kinoke’s Mitchell Richmond and MediaViz’s Sarah Lefebvre will take us on the journey of their solution.
Moderator: Adam Pratt, Chaos to Memories
2:15-2:30 p.m
Short Break
2:30-3:15 p.m.
2026 State of the Photography Industry Survey
Zenfolio conducted a wide-ranging survey of professional photographers. In this presentation, Kurt Hilmerson provides key insights and information from the final report.
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
In an environment where the enrollment of school-age children is not growing, growth opportunities can seem scarce. The traditional school yearbook is seen by many as a growth opportunity. For years, new technology like VR, video clips, etc., has been employed with mixed results. Now, with AI and other technologies, could personalization be the key to unlocking this opportunity?
4:00-4:30 p.m.
Event concludes – social event to be announced
