The annual convention of the Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorated Products (SGCDpro) kicks off April 16 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore. The conference encompasses three days of educational seminars, networking, and product introductions. SGCDpro Vice President David Stanton of Fusion Ceramics will serve as program chair.

Saturday’s session focuses on production issues. Topics include proper firing, spray technology, color selection, and screen printing. A welcome reception will be held following the Saturday sessions.

The annual “Ask the Experts” legislative session will commence on Sunday morning with a panel of government experts. The panel, assembled by SGCDpro Washington Liaison Walt Sanders, will review current and pending compliance initiatives and accept questions from attendees. Representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will be in attendance.

A Proposition 65 discussion will follow. Noted Proposition 65 attorney Carol Brophy will update attendees on the current status of the proposed increase in the maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for lead. Brophy and Alan Olson of Ferro Corp. represented the industry’s interests at hearings on the matter. The pair will also review proposed changes to labeling rules for Prop 65.

Lunch will be served in the exhibit hall, where 27 companies will display the latest in decorating technology and services. The trade show kicks off immediately following the “Ask the Experts” session.

The meeting will conclude on Monday with the Society’s Annual Meeting of Members followed by a series of talks on innovation. Colonel Danny McKnight, U.S. Army (ret.) will address the group as keynote speaker immediately following the annual meeting. The event will close with the traditional awards luncheon.

Interested attendees may elect to attend a tour of Baltimore Glassware Decorators at the conclusion of Deco ’16. Call (740) 588-0828 for reservations. Complete conference details are available at www.sgcd.org.