2026 COMPETITION DATES

High School & College Events

April 15 - 17 - PCF High School Skills Competition
Harper Campus at Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

April 25- PCF College Competition
Milwaukee Marriott Downtown
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lackawanna Career & Technology Center Receives Upgrade to their program

Career & Technology Center of Lackawanna County has announced a major upgrade to its Graphic Production program with the addition of a Mark Andy 2200 flexographic press, strengthening its commitment to hands-on, industry-aligned training. The new equipment brings advanced printing capabilities directly into the classroom, giving students access to the same technology being used in many of today’s professional print environments.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation plays a big role in locating and providing flexographic presses. Bettylyn Krafft, chairman of the Foundation, continues to support dozens of educators and schools in establishing, maintaining and elevating these critical workforce development programs across North America. Integrating presses into curriculums is designed to better prepare students for in-demand careers in flexographic printing and countless graphic production fields.

Rebecca Rinella, instructor of the Print Production Technology program, expressed her enthusiasm about the upgrade. “This is a gamechanger for our students,” Rinella said. “Having access to this level of equipment allows us to simulate real-world production environments and provide the kind of practical experience employers are looking for. I’m beyond excited to start training tomorrow’s workforce with tools that truly reflect the industry.”

The addition of the press aligns with the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County's broader mission to equip students with career-ready skills through experiential learning. Students will now gain direct experience in press setup, operation, color management, and quality control skills that are critical in modern print production roles.

The Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTCLC) is a consortium of eight school districts in the Northeastern Region of Pennsylvania. The corsortium's leadership emphasized that the investment reflects ongoing efforts to stay on top of industry trends and workforce needs. By continuously updating its technology and training methods, the Graphic Production program ensures graduates are not only knowledgeable but job-ready from day one.

ANNOUNCING
PHOENIX CHALLENGE ALUMNI GROUP

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation (PCF) Alumni Group. This new initiative is designed to bring together former Phoenix Challenge student competitors, judges and educators who are now active professionals in the print and packaging industries.

JOIN NOW! PCF Alumni Group - LinkedIn

The PCF Alumni Group is being launched through the leadership and collaboration of Josh Sigmon, Business Development Lead at Wink, the foundation’s newest board member. Together, they share a vision of strengthening the lifelong connection between the Phoenix Challenge competition and the industry that continues to evolve and shape the future of workforce development for flexo.

new expanded sponsorships for 2026

From Platinum sponsorships to College or High School specific support to Golf or In-Kind opportunities, there are plenty of reasons to get involved! These expanded programs are designed to engage meaningfully with the Foundation’s mission, ensuring broader industry participation and increased support for education and workforce development nationwide.

“Our expanded sponsorship program will support our new initiatives and will take the Foundation’s mission to a whole new level,” says Bettylyn Krafft, Chairman of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. “By opening the door to more types of industry partners we are creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student development.”

HUNDREDS OF PROFESSIONALS ARE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY TODAY!

Josh sigmon joins the board

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is delighted to announce that Josh Sigmon has joined the Board of Directors. Josh, who has a rich background in the flexographic printing industry, brings years of experience and a deep personal connection to the Phoenix Challenge competitions.

Josh earned his AAS, Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology/Flexography degree at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he first competed in one of many College Phoenix Challenge competitions. He continued his involvement while attending the University of Central Missouri, where he participated again and graduated with a B.S. in Graphic Technologies. Having a successful career to date, Josh started with Harper Corporation of America, then later with ALC (Art Lithocraft) in Kansas City, Missouri, while completing his studies. After earning his degree, he returned at Harper Corporation, progressing to Vice President of Sales.

Josh joined Wink US as Business Development Lead this past month, a manufacturer of high-precision flexible dies and rotary cylinders. In this role, he will focus on Wink’s ongoing growth initiatives and work closely with partners to ensure the company continues to provide exceptional service, reliable support, and innovative tooling solutions.

Josh’s involvement with the Phoenix Challenge runs deep has served as a judge since 2019 at both the Phoenix Challenge High School Skills competition and the Phoenix Challenge College Competition. He and his wife, Liz Sigmon, whom he met while they were part of the Phoenix Challenge College competition team at the University of Central Missouri, are proud parents of Lincoln Sigmon. Josh enjoys 3D printing, traveling and exploring new places and spending time with his family.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an organization of industry professionals who are dedicated to encouraging today's youth in exploring the exciting career opportunities available to them through the Flexographic printing industry.

Each year the Phoenix Challenge Foundation hosts it's annual International High School Flexographic Skills Competition and hosts the Phoenix Challenge College competition for students in North America currently studying Flexography. This site is dedicated to the student participants, their teachers and the industry sponsors that make this a competition success!