Annual Events
HIGH SCHOOL SKILLS COMPETITION
The Phoenix Challenge High School Skills Competition is a two-and-a-half-day event in Charlotte, NC, hosted at Central Piedmont Community College, Harper Campus. Student teams compete in multiple areas: math, industry knowledge, prepress, platemaking, and printing a sellable two-color job—registration, printing, and clean-up all within one hour and 45 minutes. In addition to the core competition, students also get an industry tour—really bringing the real-world aspect to life. They also dive into “flexo experiments,” exploring advanced topics like shrink sleeves, color matching, viscosity, and pH. All together, it’s a comprehensive blend—technical skill, speed, exposure to industry, and hands-on exploration of real flexo challenges!
ANNUAL COLLEGE COMPETITION
Phoenix Challenge College Competition, tasks student teams with rebranding a real nonprofit or small business. They take it from concept to completion—design, strategy, and final flexographic production. It’s a year-long challenge, culminating in formal presentations before industry judges. It’s all about applying research, problem-solving, design, and flexo printing skills, while driving academic programs to elevate their instruction and innovation.
How It Works
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The Project: Throughout the academic year, student teams from colleges and universities develop a comprehensive business and printing project (such as creating a branding and packaging suite for an independent business).
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The Presentation: The year-long project culminates in a formal presentation to a panel of industry experts at the annually in different cities across North America.
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The Judged Categories: Teams are judged across several specialized categories, including Best Research, Best Graphics, and Best Concept & Execution
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
& FUNDRAISER
The Phoenix Challenge Golf Outing is the foundation’s primary fundraiser, held annually on a Wednesday in the third week of September. This event brings industry professionals and supporters together on the golf course, all in the spirit of raising funds that fuel every Phoenix Challenge initiative. The proceeds directly support the foundation’s educational programs, from the high school and college competitions to teacher workshops, ensuring continued growth and opportunity in flexographic education.