Graphic Media Alliance

02/05/2026

Emerging Leaders Academy: Building the Next Generation of Print Industry Leadership

Leadership transitions are some of the most critical moments in any organization, especially in an industry navigating workforce shifts, evolving expectations, and increasing operational complexity. In response, Graphic Media Alliance is introducing the Emerging Leaders Academy, a structured leadership development series consisting of five to six targeted sessions offered throughout the year.

Rather than a single event or standalone workshop, the Emerging Leaders Academy is intentionally designed to allow senior leadership, senior management, and operations leaders to participate alongside their rising talent. This side-by-side approach creates space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and alignment around company-specific goals, challenges, and leadership expectations.

Program Focus

The Emerging Leaders Academy places a deliberate emphasis on operational leadership continuity, rather than ownership transition. The focus is on preparing organizations for leadership evolution at the operational and management level, ensuring smooth transitions, stronger teams, and sustained performance.

Each session blends executive-level instruction, real-world application, and peer think tank discussion, creating a common leadership language and practical tools participants can apply immediately within their organizations.

Planned Session Topics

While final dates and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, sessions are being designed around key leadership themes, including:

• The transition from individual contributor to effective leader
• Leadership mindset, accountability, and trust
• Recruiting, retaining, and rewarding talent with leadership potential
• Developing leaders at every level through coaching and delegation
• Using performance analytics to connect people decisions to business outcomes
• Navigating change, uncertainty, and future leadership models

Flexible Delivery for Real-World Schedules

Sessions will be offered in a hybrid format, with in-person training broadcast live for remote participants. Programming will take place throughout the year as individual sessions, with select sessions integrated into major industry gatherings such as the Michigan Leadership Summit and the ENCORE Leadership Conference.

Organizations may also choose to participate as a group, bringing several emerging leaders together in a conference room at their facility to engage in the training collectively. This format is designed to encourage internal discussion and shared learning.

Expert-Led and Industry-Relevant

Subject Matter Experts will be drawn from a blend of trusted educational partners, including The Center for Great Work Performance, as well as GMA and APAN resources with deep, industry-specific knowledge. This approach ensures the content remains practical, relevant, and grounded in real operational leadership challenges.

Pricing and Registration Coming Soon

Graphic Media Alliance members will have flexible participation options, including:

• A discounted package rate for attending the full series
• À la carte registration for individual sessions
• Group pricing for remote, multi-person viewing

Full scheduling, pricing, and registration details will be released in the coming weeks.

The Emerging Leaders Academy is an investment in people, performance, and continuity. It is designed to help organizations build confident leaders, strengthen internal pipelines, and prepare for what is next, together.