Deco ’16 kicked off April 16 in Baltimore, Md., marking the show’s first return to the East Coast since 2002 when the group met in Washington, D.C. Approximately 150 decorators and suppliers attended the three-day conference, which featured a keynote speech by Colonel Danny McKnight, Ret. U.S. Army. McKnight, who took part in the Battle of Mogadishu, which was chronicled in the movie Black Hawk Down, discussed leadership and his newly released book.

Saturday’s technical program featured discussions on the basics of decorating followed by a welcome reception. The annual “Ask the Experts” session, held on Sunday, featured a government panel assembled by SGCDpro Legislative Liaison Walt Sanders. Members listened to presentations by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Carol Brophy, noted California Proposition 65 attorney, and Alan Olson, president of Westlake Science and Technology, followed with an update on the many planned changes in Proposition 65 labeling and compliance rules.

Some 25 exhibitors presented their latest products and services during the exhibition, which featured a lunch and reception within the exhibit hall. This year’s honorees included Olson, who was presented with the annual Frank S. Child Award, and Ed Weiner, former SGCDpro president, who received the Founder’s Award.

New officers were installed at the society’s annual meeting of members on Monday morning. David Stanton of Fusion Ceramics was elected president for 2016-17, and David Dunn of Commercial Decal of Ohio was elected vice president. Jeff Morris of RUCO USA will serve as treasurer, and Amit Chaubel is the secretary for the coming year. The board of directors met in June to begin planning for Deco ’17, which will be held April 22-24 at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pa.