'Hole'
Lotta Fun at Golf Outing
88 members and friends gathered at
the Crofton Country Club on Monday for the annual PGAMA
Golf Outing. Thankfully, rains held off until the evening,
allowing for a fun and challenging
day on the links. The Low Gross winning
team included Mark Watt (Fuji Film),
Kevin Watt, (Zimmer), Bob Taylor and Ross Tuck, both from
Todd Allan Printing. Each received a $75 cash prize. Low
Net winning team was made up of Bill McDonald (Bindagraphics),
and Brian Payne, Kyle Curtis, and Chris Carlucci all from
McArdle Printing. Each Low Net team member also received
a $75 prize. The winner of the Longest Drive (Hole 4) was
Kevin Watt (Zimmer), who won
$100 for the shot. Closest to Pin (Hole 5) winners were
Vince Crowe (Art Litho) @ 37" and Paul Richardson (Solnet)
@ 33." Each won
$100. Closest to Pin (Hole 9) winner was
Chris Carlucci (McArdle) @ 12'6." He also won $100. Many
thanks to everyone who made this event such a success, especially
our sponsors: Advertising Specialty
Institute, Capitol Summit Laminators, Direct Energy, Frank
Parsons Paper, Group Benefit Review, Hewlett Packard-Indigo
Div., K&W
finishing inc., Kline
Paper Mill Supplies, Lindenmeyr Monroe, Margolis Becker, Raff
Embossing, Smith Barney, Solnet, Southern Lithoplate, Walker
Supply, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Utica Insurance, and xpedx.
Secrets
to Success with VDP
Variable
Data Printing (VDP) is a great idea that can create real
value for the client. VDP and mail services help customers
market with more segment-pertinent messages at little or
no additional cost. To achieve this, printers analyze a
customer’s database and identify the highest pay-off
segments. They then create messages and graphics tailored
to these target segments and weave them into the print
job. All these steps are performed in a single print run,
drastically reducing production costs. However, to make
VDP work, the client must trust the printer with all the
details of its sales database. Of course, that means a
VDP printer must deal with data security in a real and
convincing way in order to get the client on board. Excerpted
from an article by PGAMA member Bob Moffitt of RHM Sales
Management Systems, www.rhmsales.com.
Show
Off Your Plant's Best Practices
Find out if your firm
is one of the Best Workplaces in the Americas by entering
the competition! Companies that participate in this program
demonstrate that they value their workforce by going beyond
simply complying with employment laws. BWA companies create
a safe, rewarding work environment where employees feel respected
and satisfied. Some of the characteristics of winning BWA
firms include: an emphasis and expectation of safety, employee
recognition programs, a sense of "family" on
the job, competitive benefits and incentives, regular communication
to and from staff, and so on. In return, your employees are
happier, more productive and fully vested in the success
of the business. Sound like your firm? Then what are you
waiting for? Get the recognition you deserve! Download an
entry form at printing.org/bwa.
Deadline for entries is September 11, 2009. For more information,
email bwa@printing.org.
5
Ways to Connect with Customers
Here are five simple tips to turn first-time customers
into regular clients:
1-
Address customers by name.
2-Send hand-written thank you notes.
3-Respond to new and potential customers within 24 hours.
4-Greet customers with eye contact, a smile, and a warm greeting.
5-Communicate with customers when they least expect it.
Congratulations-You're
Online!
If your company has website, it's not exactly
news that you're online, but even without a website, you're
still live thanks to your listing in Print
Access,
the online print buyers guide.
All PGAMA members have a basic listing
that was created as a benefit of your membership! That
means you could be found by print buyers when they conduct
a search for a printers. Searches can be conducted by geographical
area, product specialty, equipment, etc., but they won't
find you until you've added those details!
Enhance your basic Print Access listing with a detailed
description about your company's services, and you will instantly
become more visible to customers. You can even add a direct
link to your company website! In the web-surfing age in which
we live, Print Access is simply the easiest and fastest way
to hook new clients. Complete the construction of your directory
page today. If you build it, they will come! To get started
go to pgama.com in
the Members Only section and click on the Print Access logo
on the right side of the page all the way at the bottom.
Space
for Lease in PGAMA Building
Effective in September there will
be space available to lease in the PGAMA building in Columbia,
MD. The unoccupied space of 3600 or 6000 square feet could
easily accommodate a light manufacturing facility. The
space could be configured to include a small front office.
Rent is $8.50 a square foot per year, which does not include
utilities or maintenance. For more information or to arrange
a tour of the unit, contact Kerry Stackpole at PGAMA, 410-319-0900
or via email to kerry@pgama.com.
Pack
Your Passport
Traveling
this summer? Don't forget to pack your passport! Beginning
June 1st, U.S. citizens must present a passport when entering
the country by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and the
Caribbean. The passport requirement is part of the Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), developed in 2004
to strengthen U.S. border security. The requirement has
been in place since early 2007 for airline travelers entering
the U.S. from neighboring countries. The passport requirement
for land and sea entry was originally scheduled to take
effect Jan. 1, 2008, but was delayed after WHTI triggered
a massive backup in passport applications here in the U.S.
and an outcry from border states that wanted more time
to implement and educate travelers about the change.
Upcoming Events
| June 16 |
Webinar:
Partnering & Networking
to Build Your Business, 2:00-3:00pm.
This webinar will introduce the importance of leveraging
tools and technology associated with business development,
training and education, and new market development.
This is a FREE presentation. Register
at WhatTheyThink.com. |
| June 17 |
Webinar:
Lead Generation & Customer Retention, Get
an inside look at how your customers and competitors
see the printing industry.
Survey results from more than 12,000 print customers
will be shared, covering areas such as service quality,
product quality, customer loyalty, client share,
and future expansion areas. You will also learn how
to implement your own customer feedback system to
stay in touch with what every client wants and needs
so YOU can keep their business. This 30 minute webinar
will be broadcast several times during the day.
Register online at: www.surveyadvantage.com/webinar/webinar.php?BizID=24. |
| June 19 |
Special Event:
Art Stowe's Retirement Party, 7:00-10:00pm
at Martin's West-6821 Dogwood Road in
Woodlawn, MD. Join current members, former members,
colleagues, friends, and family to salute PGAMA
President Art Stowe who is retiring after a remarkable
39 years of service to the Association and to the industry. Join us for cocktails
and an appetizer buffet as we celebrate Art’s career with a toast, a roast,
and a chance to boast! Additional Roasters Welcome! If you have a special memory
of Art to share, please contact Carol Atwood at the PGAMA office, 410-319-0900.
Tickets are $62 per person. Invitations were mailed. The banquet hall needs a
head count, so please RSVP to Carol this week! |
| June 23-25 |
Special Event:
Member Open House at Presstek, 6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt, MD 20770. See
live demos of digital offset, computer-to-plate, and
workflow solutions. More info at www.presstek.com. |
| June 24 |
Webinar:
Harnessing Technology for Business Growth,
2:00-3:00pm. Improving the efficiency of customer
communications has become a global imperative for
many organizations. During this session, you will
hear from print service providers who have leveraged
this customer need to position their businesses for
growth--even in tough economic times! This is a FREE
broadcast. Register at WhatTheyThink.com. |
| June 30 |
Webinar:
Cashing in on Sustainability,
2:00-3:30pm. In your search for new business, it is
critical to take advantage of your sustainable, “green” efforts,
giving print buyers added reasons to choose your firm.
Cashing in on Sustainability will help you to evaluate
the strengths and marketability of your green practices
and communicate them to customers. We’ll show
you why marketing your green side makes sense even
in these tough times, and we’ll demonstrate how
to build your sustainability “story” into
sales presentations that connect with customers. Cost
is $69 for members. Register at www.printing.org. |
| June 30 |
Seminar: Women in the
Environment, 1:15-6:30pm
at the Museum for Women in the Arts, 13th and K
Street in Washington, D.C. This seminar, presented
by member Derek Smith & Associates,
will put to rest any doubts you may have about
the market for sustainable companies in the coming
years. Featured speakers include female CEO's and
leaders from within the industry. A must-attend
for anyone in sustainability, procurement, printing,
paper, packaging, and graphic design! Cost is $95
per person/group rates available. Register at www.paperleadership.com |
| July
20-21 |
Workshop: Total Immersion-Digital
Color, at
Printing Industries of America headquarters in
Sewickley, PA. This brand new workshop is designed
to give you a comprehensive look at what it takes
to produce reliable, high-quality digital output.
Two intense days of hands-on training will get
you totally immersed, and totally knowledgeable,
in digital color and press optimization. Cost is
$595 for members. Full details and registration
link on www.printing.org. |
|
