Press release from the issuing company:
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), successfully concluded its highly anticipated partner event, NEXT 2025, held October 7–9 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.
The three-day event united Sharp leadership with a vibrant network of imaging dealers from across Sharp’s entire channel to explore what’s NEXT in the industry—focusing on innovation, collaboration, and strategies for a future-ready business.
Despite significant announcements of new technology in Sharp’s core print market, Sharp’s NEXT 2025 showcased a diversified vision for dealer success, and the realization that such a direction is required to be truly successful in the future. Sharp emphasized the importance of expanding beyond traditional print offerings to include profitable, higher-growth technologies that meet modern customer demands and directions.
SIICA Senior Vice President of Channel Sales John Sheehan kicked off the event with a robust general session, welcoming dealers and explaining the program, while SIICA President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Marusic provided a high-level overview of how Sharp will work with dealers to innovate on Products, People and Processes to insure that their businesses continue to prosper in an ever changing environment.
Sharp Corporation’s focus on its critical B2B growth engine was made even clearer by participation from Japanese executives Tetsuji (Ted) Kawamura, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Chief Business Development Officer and Shigeru (Shige) Kobayashi, Co-Chief Operating Officer and Head of Smart Workplace Business Group, who emphasized Sharp’s continued growth and transformation strategies.
A key part of Sharp NEXT was enabling dealers to share best practices. Dealer-led panels highlighted the need for change, lean process improvements, and HR strategies like matching personality types to roles—showing how collaboration and innovation are driving efficiency and modernizing outdated procedures across the Sharp Dealer Council’s network.
Recognizing that extraordinary growth demands fresh thinking, Sharp invited keynote speaker Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, to lead transformative exercises that challenged attendees to reimagine possibilities. Wardle’s dynamic session encouraged partners to adopt a creative mindset, unlocking new approaches to business growth and problem-solving. The experience left participants energized and equipped to explore emerging opportunities with renewed perspective.
New Technology Innovation from Sharp Imaging
Sharp announced multiple new technology innovations in both hardware and software during the show. A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of 18 new high-performance color and monochrome multifunction printers, ranging from 26 to 65 pages per minute. These next-generation models—part of Sharp’s Advanced and Essentials Series—are built on a powerful controller platform and offer enhanced security and AI-driven features to support evolving workplace needs and maximize uptime. (See separate release.)
Sharp also released major updates to Synappx Manage, its platform for simplifying print fleet management. This release combines AI-powered insights with advanced remote service capabilities to simplify workflows and deliver faster, more responsive support for Sharp B2B products. Superior experiences emerge when software and hardware are designed as one from the ground up. (See separate release.)
Innovative Dealer Support
Not only did dealers leave the show energized for the opportunities in front of them, but with a number of new Sharp-announced programs and support tools to aid them in their growth. In particular, investments in training stood out, with Sharp sponsored in-person training programs such as “Lean Leadership for Office Technology” and a rigorous “Sales Management Training.”
New promotions to help dealers scale their marketing efforts with the Sharp Marketing Center, drive sales rep technology readiness with a National Demo Content and even a special trip promotion for top performing dealers kept energy high and everyone excited and engaged for what comes NEXT.
“NEXT 2025 has been an excellent platform for connecting with our dealers, listening to their needs, and gaining direct insight into what drives their success,” said Mike Marusic (pictured on stage, above), president and chief executive officer of Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “These conversations help us shape our strategies and solutions to better support their growth. The energy and engagement at NEXT 2025 reaffirmed the strength of our partnerships and our shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and long-term business success.”
