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Members Responded to Action Alert-Did You?
Thanks to the
37 Maryland member companies who quickly responded
to PGAMA's recent Government Affairs Action Alert, and
contacted their state legislators
about three bills currently before the Maryland General
Assembly.
MD
Members, Your Input Is Still Needed-- If
you have not yet done so, please contact your own
state Senator and Delegates about these bills : (SB88)
Personal Property Tax Exemption for Manufacturers-Filing
Change; (HB0651) Mandatory Breaks; and (SB769) ( HB718); PLUS
this NEW bad legislation-HB1249 & SB831-Mandatory
daily overtime pay for work in excess of 8 hours. These
companion Bills would make Maryland overtime pay requirements
greater than the Federal Labor Law requires, so Maryland
members, PLEASE take the time to respond to our latest
Action Alert, sent earlier today. To send your Representative
a pre-written letter, just go to PGAMA.com and
click on the Legislative Action on the left side of the home
page. That takes you to a site to input your address and
get email samples ready for sending to your legislators with
just a click of the mouse. For assistance, call the PGAMA
office, 410-319-0900.
National
Association
Confronts HP about MarketSplash
Printing Industries of America has once again gone to bat
to protect the interests of members, this time going head
to head against Hewlett-Packard (HP). In a letter from Association
President Michael Makin to HP Executive Vice President Vyonesh
Joshi, Makin voices the concerns of printers across the country
about HP's new MarketSplash program, which is billed as a "software-as-a-service" for
small businesses, providing design and print fulfillment
among other things. Makin points out that the MarketSplash
e-commerce storefront could negatively impact industry businesses
that offer these same services, and gives the appearance
that HP is competing against its own customer base. A reply
from HP is expected. PGAMA will keep you updated on this
situation as details emerge.
Test
Drive Web2Print
The Web2Print Test Drive Site is FREE from the Digital Printing
Council and offers demos, a daily blog, and a wiki to help
you discover W2P. This site is a one-stop resource for printers,
print buyers, marketers and others who are interested in
learning more about web2print solutions. Use it to search
for specific products, complete with links to actual demo
sites where you can test drive each solution yourself! Check
it out at http://www.w2ptestdrive.com/
Another
Freebie: Technology Forecast
Coming to your mailbox soon: Printing Industries of America's 2009
Forecast: Technology, Trends & Tactics. This
160-page publication addresses
contains exclusive content
on industry trends, economic outlooks, and many valuable
tidbits of information to assist printers with business growth
in 2009 and beyond. It features more than 75 articles ranging
from “Hiring
Projections in 2009” to “Press
Innovations Deliver More Productivity and Flexibility.” Brand
new topics for 2009 include newspaper trends, envelopes,
and gravure printing. Those who receive
Printing Industries of America magazines as a benefit of
membership will be mailed a complimentary issue;
additional copies are available $99 for members, $199 for
non-members.
Copyright
Caution
A member of another affiliate was recently sued by a copyright
holder, but prevailed in the case because they were able
to show they had no way of knowing material supplied by a
client was copyrighted. The printer was therefore an "innocent
infringer," which is a reasonable defense provided it's
true. However, it won't work if the client-supplied file
contains well known images (Mickey Mouse, McDonald's Golden
Arches, etc.) When presented with files of this kind, use
caution. It's safer to turn down the job than to risk becoming
a co-defendant.
Spring
Sale on Adobe Products
Adobe has a special offer for members
only this spring, with a 20%
discount on
all Adobe products bought online in the North American online
Adobe Store. Orders must be placed by May 31, 2009 to qualify.
To access the discount code, go to the Group
Buying page on pgama.com. (Member
login and password required.)
Member
News
Cavanaugh
Press in
Baltimore has installed
a Suprasetter 105 MCL platesetter.
The new device supports the
firm's
6-color
Heidelberg Speedmaster XL
105,
which was installed last
year, and allows for more
flexibility on short-run
work since the company
can plate
on demand and is better
able to handle
last-minute changes.
Alpha
Graphics, Inc. has
just been certified in the
State of Maryland as a Minority
Business Enterprise (MBE)
and will be listed in the
MDOT Minority Business Enterprise/Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise Directory.
This directory is used by
prime contractors and consultants
seeking minority subcontractors
and/or consultants to perform
work.
Parts
Wanted: 1980’s
Ryobi and Itek 3200 CD press
guards/covers Please contact
Sharon
Schroth at Lallie, Inc 443-679-1043
weekdays
between
8:00am and 4:00pm, or email
to purchasing@lallie.com.
In
Memoriam
We
regret to announce the passing
of Larry
LaFlame, former
Plant Supervisor of the
George W. King Company and
past President of the Litho
Club of Baltimore as well
as the National Association
of Litho Clubs.
Upcoming Events
| 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 19 |
Special Event: Mailers' Education
Seminar, 8:00am-3:30pm
at the University of Baltimore Business Center. Get
the latest info on direct marketing, mailpiece design,
intelligent mail barcode, address management, and
more at this educational seminar. Cost is $90 per
person, but the info presented is priceless. Fee
includes breakfast, lunch, and parking. Contact James
Barlow for more info, 410-321-8821. |
| March 23 |
Webinar: 10 Tips to Improve
Your Finances, 2:00-3:00pm.
Stuart Margolis, of member firm Margolis Becker leads
this session, and will help you discover
the proper principles to follow to take advantage of
the opportunities available in the current economy.
Save countless hours of agony later by learning
from the mistakes and triumphs of others. Cost is
$69 for members OR sign up for the March 2 and 26
broadcasts too and pay just $150 for all three sessions!
Register at www.printing.org under
Events & Training. |
March 23-24
|
Special Event: NEPS 2009 Industry
Summit, in Washington,
D.C. Get all the industry and economic trend updates
you need now to plan for the months and years ahead.
PRIMIR Spring meeting follows, March 24-25. Stay on
to get an insider's preview of two new studies by
PRIMIR. More info and online registration at www.npes.org/blasts/industry-summit-09-2.html. |
| March 26 |
Webinar: 10 Tips to Improve Your Sales, 2:00-3:00pm.
PGAMA member T.J. Tedesco leads this webinar, and
will share practical ways to capitalize on simple
strategies that not only require fewer resources, but
also yield quicker results.
Cost is $69 for members OR sign up for the March 2
and 23 broadcasts too and pay just $150 for all three
sessions! Register at www.printing.org under
Events & Training. |
| March 26 |
Special Event: Production Club of Baltimore
Paper Show, 5:30-8:30pm
at Martin's West in Baltimore. Where food, fun, and
paper meet! Cost is $25. Register online through
March 25 at productionclubofbaltimore.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 1 |
SGIA/SGP Webinar: Verification
Visits-Are You Ready? 2:00-3:00pm.
Are you ready for a verification visit from the Sustainable
Green Printing Partnership? This session will provide
an overview of a verification visit, including pre
and post activities. Special rate for PGAMA members!
Register at www.sgia.org and
type in "PGAMA" in the keyword search. |
| 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. |
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