| Keeping
It In Perspective
Thanks to PGAMA member Bill Pierangeli of Byron Adams for
sharing this information, which puts the tough times
we are all facing in perspective.
Unemployment now is 7.6%, and in 1982 it was 11%
Inflation now is virtually nonexistent, but in 1982 it was
15%
Prime Interest rate in December '08 was 3.25%, but in 1982
it was 17%
The point is, while things are not great right now, they
have been worse. And businesses still survived!
Byron Adams' approach is to keep on keeping on, and continue
their strategy of mailing out marketing material to solidify
their programs and support their sales team. They say it
is working-even in this economy-because they have actually
acquired NEW customers! Their advice: Keep marketing and
you will be around to tell how you survived the 2009 Recession,
too!
Another
Email Scam
Another affiliate shared this info on the latest email scam
making the rounds, from a group calling itself the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The email message
claims they are jailing hundreds of Nigerian scammers, and
they promise to pay $100,000 to any previous victims of Nigerian
scams. However, when you visit their website you'll discover
that in order to "collect" you need to supply personal
information (always a tip-off), and send a processing fee
of $269. Be warned!!
Postage
Increase & Other News
The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service have approved new
prices for mailing services, including a 2-cent increase
in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. The
new prices will go into effect Monday, May 11. Customers
can continue to mail letters at today's prices by purchasing
the Forever Stamp before May 11. Forever Stamps will be honored
with no need for additional postage for a one-ounce letter
mailing.
In other postal news, new address standards for commercial
flat-size mail are effective on March 29, and require mailers
to place delivery addresses in the top half of all Periodicals,
Standard Mail, and Package Services flats mailed at automation,
presorted, or carrier route prices. For more info, go to the
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) on Postal
Explorer.com.
Ratios
Survey Underway
Printing Industries of America has sent out the 88th annual
Ratios Survey participation packet to all members, with all
necessary directions to complete the survey, order free reports
(including additional copies), and purchase a Ratios subscription to
receive the new reports online. Changes have been made to
the survey to make it more useful and user-friendly, so please
take the time to participate. Besides the very
valuable benefit of a FREE report of your choice (a $200
value), you are contributing to the database of printing
knowledge that could help yours and other businesses.
Have questions about the Ratios
Survey?
Have them answered
LIVE with Economist Ronnie Davis of Printing Industries of
America tomorrow (February 20) at 1:00pm during a conference
call to address any issues about the Ratios Survey. The
conference call number is 1-877-366-0711 and the conference
code is 52591096#.
New
Large Format Test Form Available
In recognition of the growing use of
large format sheetfed offset presses, Printing Industries
of America has released the new 42x62-in. Large Format Press
Test Form. The form has been specifically designed to gauge
the unique challenges and capabilities of large format offset
presses. For more information, visit www.qcproducts.org.
Boost
Your Recycling Revenue
Here's a quick and easy way to boost your recycling revenue:
merge aluminum cans with scrap printing plates for recycling.
A medium sized printer on the East coast increased his volume
by 15 pounds per week, which they estimate should result
in an additional $1000 in recycling revenue annually.
Member
News
Congrats
to
Schmitz
Press for
their recent
feature in Graphic
Arts Online,
which
detailed the firm's
"inventive
and high quality"
service
to client, McCormick
& Co.
McCormick's
2008
annual report, which
Schmitz
printed, featured a
cinnamon
scent, which was applied
to the document via a special varnish
at
the end
of
the run. Pressroom foreman
Angelo
D'Anna has overseen
this
project for a number
of
years, with the scent
of
the varnish changing year
to year. Variety is the
spice of print too!
PGAMA
Board member Paul
Coates can
be
proud of many things
in
his life, including
service
in the U.S. Army
in
Vietnam, civil rights
activism,
founding
and
running his own publishing
house,
and raising seven
kids
in Baltimore against
great
odds. Now one of
his
sons,
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
has
paid
tribute
to his dad in
"The
Beautiful Struggle:
A
Father,
Two
Sons and
an
Unlikely Road to
Manhood." The
pair
were recently
interviewed
on WYPR.
Listen
to the segment
at www.wypr.org/MD
MORNING.html. (Scroll
down to the February
11, 2009 show and
click on the "Play
now" link.)
Member
firm ColorNet
Printing & Graphics has installed
a new Presto E90
saddle stitcher.
The purchase has
already increased
productivity,
according to General
Manager Frank
DiBella.
Upcoming Events
| February 25 |
Webinar: The Americans with Disabilities
Act Noon-1:00pm. The
ADA Amendments Act went into effect on January 1, 2009,
and it changes how employers must view claims under
the ADA. This webinar will focus on the effect of these
changes to the ADA; what it means for employers encountering
disability matters; and the impact of these changes
on future or pending litigation. As an employer, you
must be at the forefront of the issue, and this discussion
is the best place for you to begin. This is a FREE
presentation for members, brought to you by member
firm Offit Kurman. Register online here. |
| February 26 |
Webinar: What is Your Union
Risk? Noon-1:30pm. This webinar is a guided
vulnerability assessment. Participants will walk through
a self-audit of their union risks. If you find your company's
weak spots before the union does, you can immunize yourself
from unionization. Led by lawyer Michael L. Dodd, whose
firm specializes in representing employers with respect
to labor relations and employment law matters. Cost is
$149 for members/$249 for non-members. Call PGAMA to
register, 410-319-0900. |
| February 26 |
Seminar: Planning for
Profit in Tough Economic Times,
9:00am-11:45am at PGAMA. Former AGS President John
Green will teach you how to develop and implement
a proper financial plan for your firm that will
help you increase profits. Designed for businesses
with $1.5-$50 million annual sales.* Cost
is $150 for first company registrant, $75 per additional
attendee from same company. Not open to non-members.
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! If you attend and do not
find it worthwhile, PGAMA will refund your fee!
Register at www.pgama.com or
call the office, 410-319-0900. *Financial planning seminar
for businesses with less than $1.5 million annual
sales coming in April! |
| March 3 |
Seminar: Get a Grip on Energy
Costs with EnerNOC,
9:00-10:30am at PGAMA. Learn more about EnerNOC's Demand
Response program, which PAYS
YOU to cut down on electricity
usage when demand is high. Features a Q&A with PGAMA
members already enrolled in the program. NO COST TO
ATTEND! Limited seating--register at pgama.com or call
the office, 410-319-0900. |
| March 4 |
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE ENTRIES FOR PGAMA'S MEMBERSHIP
FOLDER DESIGN CONTEST!
PGAMA has extended the deadline for the re-design contest
of our Membership Folders. These pocket folders are
used to recruit new members, and contain inserts that
explain the history and benefits of joining PGAMA.
They are often the first impression
a business has of the Association. New glossy white
folders have been donated by member firm Ris, but the
Association would like to give the folder covers a
fresh look. Entries must be
submitted by March 4, 2009 and winner will be announced at the Excellence in Print
Awards banquet on March 12.
For rules and other info contact Rusty
Coolidge, 301-249-5266.
|
| March 10 |
Webinar: Pulling It All Together,
2:00-3:00pm. Xerox continues it's FREE Webinar
Series with this presentation that will help print
providers assess their company's operations, and use
the information to make informed purchasing decisions
to better meet customer needs and increase their capacity
to take on more jobs. Led by Gina Testa, VP of Business
Development for Xerox. ****Registration
link was already sent in an email from PGAMA. We will
re-send the link the first week of March. |
March 12
Be A Sponsor for this Event!
|
Special Event: Excellence in
Print Awards Banquet,
5:30-10:00pm at Martin's West Ballroom in Baltimore.
Be sure to attend the Association's biggest event of
the year, a night to celebrate print and salute the
best of our industry. Evening opens with networking
while guests enjoy cocktails and very heavy hors'douerves.
Brief awards ceremony follows, then the celebration
continues at Casino Night with plenty of great prizes
for participants. All Casino Night proceeds benefit
the PGAMA Education Trust Fund. Tickets are $55 each
or $525 for a party of 10. Call PGAMA to make reservations,
410-319-0900. ***Contact Carol at
the office for info on sponsorship opportunities. |
| March 16-18 |
Special Event: National Environmental
Health & Safety (NEHS) Conference,
Indianapolis, IN. If you are looking to become
a more sustainable, green printer, plan to attend
this conference--the only one addressing this issue
for the printing industry! PGAMA members receive
a special registration rate! Learn more and register
at www.nehsconference.org. |
| March 30-April 2 |
Special Event: ON DEMAND Conference &
Expo, Pennsylvania Convention Center
in Philadelphia, PA. Whether you come from the
commercial or in-plant side of the printing industry,
this conference can help you make connections with
peers, competitors, vendors, and business opportunities.
Register by February 23 and save $200! More info
and sign up at www.ondemandexpo.com. |
| March 31-April 2 |
Member Education: Introduction to Printing
Workshop. If you have employees who
are new to the industry, this two-and-a-half day
class is a must. Attendees will gain an understanding
of the entire printing process, from start to finish.
Cost is $295 per person for members; $495 for non-members
and includes all instructional materials, lunch
every day, and transportation for the field trip. Register
by March 23 at www.pgama.com or
call the office, 410-319-0900. |
| April 7 |
Members Only Seminar: How to Survive
the Economic Downturn, 8:30-12:30pm
at PGAMA.
Renowned consultant Tom Crouser developed this program
especially for small printing businesses (those with
less than $1.5 million annual sales.) In the half-day
session he explains why a tough economy can be the
best time for growth, and how expansion can be achieved.
All attendees receive a copy of Tom's book, "Prospering,"
and a personal consultation with him. Cost is $85 per
person/$125 for husband-wife owners. ***Money
Back Guarantee!*** If you attend and do not
find value in the presentation, ask for a refund. Limited
Seating-register early! Sign up at www.pgama.com or
call the office, 410-319-0900. |
|
