Scam
Alert: Africa Con Is Back
The emails
that previously circulated requesting large but simple
orders are back, this time from an address in Florida...
Coupons
Clipping Into Recession
Despite the difficult
economic times, consumers are responding favorably to an increase
in the amount of and value in coupons...
You're
Invited-Reception for MD Green Registry
The Maryland
Green Registry was launched this summer to encourage
and promote sustainable practices at organizations of
all types and sizes. Joining is FREE and
if you register now, you can attend a special reception
on September 30th...
In Case You Missed It
In case you missed the original
broadcast, American Printer has created an on-demand
archive for their recent webinar about paper and
the environment...
Workplace
Policy Samples
Updating your
employment handbook? You can view and download sample office
policies on PGAMA.com...
Cool
Website of the Week: Pixlr
Pixlr is an online image and photo editing site. Its applications
are free...
Member News
New press for Westland
Enterprises; Another member joins MD Green;
Cost-sharing for FSC...
Upcoming Events
|
E-Verify
Now in Effect
As of this past Tuesday (September 8th), Federal
contractors and subcontractors are required to use an
electronic system to verify whether their employees are
eligible to work in the U.S.
Introducing Member
Central
Printing Industries of America
has unveiled Member
Central, a new group that will handle all
inquiries about conferences,
workshops, seminars, and webinars; book
and product purchases; online account assistance;
and general questions about the organization and its
affiliates. The 6-person Member Central Team can
be contacted for assistance Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
at 800-910-4283, ext. 770; by
direct dial at 412-259-1770; or by email at membercentral@printing.org.
|
Scam
Alert: Africa Con Is Back
The emails that previously
circulated requesting large but simple orders are back, this time from
an address in Florida. However, at the end of the email, the story is the
same, with the shipment allegedly being sent via a certain "partner" shipping
company (usually located in Africa), that has been selected by the
Florida contact. The printer is asked to front payment for the shipping
with a promise of reimbursement; but of course, ends up holding an empty
bag. Don't be fooled by the name changes-the scam is the same. Delete these
types of emails without replying!
Coupons
Clipping Into Recession
Despite the difficult economic times, consumers
are responding favorably to
an increase in the amount of and value in coupons, according
to an article on Print In the Mix.com. Marketers in the
U.S. distributed 12% more coupons during the first half of
2009 compared to the first half of 2008, and the coupon offers
are more attractive than those of just six months
ago. That has led to an increase
in redemption volume (up 19%) and improved average redemption
rates for the first half
of 2009. Sunday free standing inserts (FSI's) remain the
leading source for coupon distribution (86.2%).
You're
Invited-Reception for MD Green Registry
The Maryland Green Registry was launched
this summer to encourage and promote sustainable practices
at organizations of all types and sizes. Joining is FREE and
if you register now, you can attend a special reception on
September 30th with Governor O'Malley and MDE Secretary Shari
Wilson. Joining is fast and easy--just click the 'Join Here'
link at the website (www.green.maryland.gov/registry)
and list at least five environmental practices and at least
one environmental result at your business. All registered
members are listed on the website and have use of the "green
registry" logo--a great marketing tool!
The September 30th event will be held at
a Coca Cola bottling plant in Baltimore where the facility
will share information about their local and corporate sustainability
practices with other Maryland Green Registry members.
In
Case You Missed It
In case you missed the original broadcast, American
Printer has created an on-demand archive for their
recent FREE webinar about paper and the environment. Sponsored
by HP, the webinar addresses the notion that the use of
paper is environmentally destructive, and that one can “Go
Green” by simply reducing or eliminating the use
of paper. This is great
info for in-the-field sales reps to have when facing buyers
considering reducing paper campaigns to be benefit the
environment! The on-demand archive will be
available for one year.
Register
for the webinar here.
Workplace
Policy Samples
Updating your employment handbook? As a
benefit of membership you can view and download sample office
policies from both the PGAMA
website and the Printing
Industries of America website. Each site offers policy
templates on numerous workplace issues, such as:
- Cell Phone Policy
- Non-Compete Agreements
- Travel Pay
- Termination Process
- Military Leave
- Jury Duty
- Time Off to Vote
- Dress Code
- Gift Policy
- Email/Voice Mail/Computer Usage
- And many more
Take advantage of these FREE resources
to develop a comprehensive handbook for your employees. It's
in their best interest...and yours!
Cool
Website of the Week: Pixlr
Pixlr is an online image and photo
editing site. Its
applications are free, but do require a Flash plug-in to
get them to work. The Pixlr services are built for non-professionals
who have basic editing needs like editing Web images to be
posted on social networks or image sites. It's also widely
used by professionals for fixing images for news sites, blogs
etc. Give it a try at www.pixlr.com.
Member
News
Westland
Enterprises, Inc. announced the addition
of a 5500 HP Indigo Press to their operation.
Congrulations to Williams
& Heintz, the latest PGAMA member to be listed
on the Maryland Green Registry. Learn how your company can
join the Registry at www.mde.maryland.gov/MarylandGreen/default.htm.
If there are any members who
are ready for an FSC certification inspection, please contact
Jan at PGAMA (410-319-0900)
for info about splitting travel costs for the inspector.
Upcoming Events
| September 16 |
Free Seminar: Protecting
Customers, Key Employees and Confidential Information, 6:00-7:00pm at
Intelligent Office (300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore,
MD 21202.) In this economy,
it is critical for employers to protect their customers,
employees and business secrets from unfair competition.
In this presentation you will learn
how to effectively draft employee agreements; discover
the practical steps to protect customer lists and business
information; become familiar with the strategies for
enforcement and deterrence; and discuss strategies
for safely hiring employees who have non-competition
agreements with competitors. Presented by Scott Kamins.
RSVP to: coordinator@intelligentoffice.com.
Be sure to mention that you are a PGAMA member and
the $20 attendance fee will be waived. Light refreshments
and parking included. |
| September 18 |
Special Event:
GreenTech Conference & Expo, 7:15am-1:30pm
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (2004 Greenspring
Drive in Timonium, MD 21093). The Regional Manufacturing
Institute is sponsoring this event to help Maryland
manufacturers learn about becoming more sustainable.
More than 60 speakers and exhibitors will be there!
Cost is $60.
Fee includes lunch. Register online at GreenTech
Maryland. |
| September 20-22 |
Conference-Label
Printing Industries of America Fall Management Conference at
the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg,
VA. "Get Back to the Basics of Business" is
the theme of this conference, and educational programs
will show you why and how to become an
expert in your customers’ businesses
and guide the strategic
direction of their enterprise. More info and registration
online, http://www.printing.org/page/5307. |
| September 22 |
Free Webinar: Making
Sense Out of the Forest Initiative Programs-Environment
and the Paper Industry, 2:00-3:00pm.
This webinar will cover the various forest initiative
projects, including Sustainable Forest Initiative
and Forest Stewardship Council. Led by Jim Kohler,
RIT alumnus, and a graphic
arts and printing consultant who has worked for
both the printing and paper industries. He will
discuss the purpose of each organization, what
they do, and the myths and realities of each. To
register, visit www.seminars.cias.rit.edu and click
on the Webinars tab. |
| September 24 |
MAGE Crab Feast, 6:00-10:00pm
at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, MD. Come to the
biggest MAGE event of the year and enjoy LARGE crabs
all night, plus a dinner buffet. By popular demand
there will once again be Blackjack 21 gaming tables--play
for prizes! New this year: your ticket stub enters
you into a drawing for a Garmin GPS system. Tickets
are the same cost as last year: just $60 per
person for ALL YOU CAN EAT LARGE CRABS! ($575
for a table of 10.) Reserve
your seats by 9/18. Call
PGAMA, 410-319-0900.Thanks to our current sponsors:
ASI, EnerNOC, Heidelberg, Kline, Prisco, sappi, Xerox,
& xpedx. ***Only ONE sponsorship spot left---contact Paul at
PGAMA for more info. |
September 30-
October 2 |
Workshop:
Total Immersion VDP, at Printing Industries
of America in Sewickley, PA. VDP is no longer an
interesting possibility—it
is now a driving force behind marketing campaigns everywhere
and it offers printers higher margins and great opportunities
to differentiate themselves from their competition.
The trick is in the execution. Find out what you need
to succeed in this workshop. Member
cost is $695 per person. Complete details and registration
at http://www.printing.org/vdp. |
| October 1 |
FREE Seminar: 10 Things
Keeping CEO's Up at Night, 10:00am-Noon
at PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia). If you're
a printing company owner, president or manager
wondering how to increase profits in a down economy,
this is the best two hours you can possibly spend.
Member firm Heidelberg will give concrete answers
to questions like: "How can I reduce make-ready
times and save on labor and material costs with
the equipment I already have?" "Am I
really making money? How do I calculate actual
production costs for specific customers?" "How
do I get G7 certification?" This is a FREE
presentation for PGAMA members! Register
online at http://sso.us.heidelberg.com/pgama. |
| October 13-15 |
Employee Education
Event: Intro to Printing Class, at
PGAMA, 9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046. Give
your CSRs or managers an understanding
of how the entire printing process works with
this 2-and-a-half day course. A great training
tool for new employees! Cost is $295 per person
for members/$495 for non-members. Includes all
course materials, lunch everyday, and a field trip
to a printing plant. MAGE members get a $100 discount
on fees! Sign up at pgama.com or call the office,
410-319-0900. |
| October 14 |
FREE Seminar: Employers'
Rights in the Age of Social Networking &
Blogging, 6:00-7:00pm at Intelligent
Office (300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.)
This seminar will give employers timely information
about their rights concerning employees online behavior,
policies related to social networking, and more. RSVP
to: coordinator@intelligentoffice.com.
Be sure to mention that you are a PGAMA member and
the $20 attendance fee will be waived. Light refreshments
and parking included. |
| October 22 |
SAVE THE
DATE! Adobe training
seminar coming to PGAMA. This program is still under
development but full details will be posted soon.
Stay tuned! |
| October 30 |
Special Event: ASI Advantages
Roadshow, 9:00am-1:00pm
at BWI Marriott (1743 W. Nursery Road, Baltimore,
MD 21090.) The Advantages Roadshow is a sales-building
experience like no other. Enjoy one-on-one conversations
with leading companies, attend FREE educational seminars,
and find hot new items to show your clients. Visit
www.advantagesroadshow.com for more details. |
|
