Virginia
Printers: Expect New Air Pollution Regulations
Virginia has joined the growing list
of states that are developing air pollution control regulations for printers.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was provided copies
of model rules for lithographic and letterpress printing operations. The
rules were determined by USEPA to be consistent with their 2006 guidance
document, Control Techniques Guideline for Offset Lithography and Letterpress.
They represent a balance between meeting the requirements specified by USEPA
and the administrative requirements necessary to demonstrate compliance.
Another
Email Phishing Scam
A new email phishing scam is now circulating
that uses fear of
the H1N1 flu to get information. Ignore any email you receive that
reads: "You
have received this e-mail because of the launching of State Vaccination H1N1
Program. You need to create your personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile
on the cdc.gov website. The Vaccination is not obligatory, but every person
that has reached the age of 18 has to have his personal Vaccination Profile
on the cdc.gov site. This profile has to be created both for the vaccinated
people and the non-vaccinated ones. This profile is used for the registering
system of vaccinated and non-vaccinated people. Create your Personal H1N1
Vaccination Profile using the link below." This message is patently
false and the link is a phony one.
Win
A Hotel Stay for Offset Conference
The Web Offset Association
(WOA), a special interest group of Printing Industries of America, invites
you to enter the 2010 WOA Print Awards. If your company does heatset,
coldset, or UV printing, enter this competition for a chance
to win free registration and a night's hotel stay at the Offset & Beyond
Conference in Baltimore next spring. First
place winners also receive a prestigious
showcase trophy, a plaque for your customer, and two unique
lapel pins. Additionally, winning entries will be prominently
displayed during the Conference at the Baltimore
Hilton May 17-19, 2010. Second place winners receive a complimentary
registration to the conference and two certificates (which can be upgraded
to plaques). Third place winners receive a complimentary registration
and two certificates (which can be upgraded to plaques). Deadline
for entries is January 29, 2010. For more detailed information
on eligibility, categories, rules and judging criteria, contact
Justin Goldstein, Contest Manager at 412-259-1806 (jgoldstein@printing.org),
or visit www.printing.org/printawards.
Baltimore
Business Journal Endorses Print
The December 4-10 issue of the Baltimore
Business Journal (BBJ) has a cover story the printing industry
really needs to hear. Publisher John Dinkel refutes
the statement "Print is dead" and goes on to share
that for BBJ, it's quite the contrary. Dinkel reports that
BBJ actually has grown in the past five years, despite the
fact that daily newspapers have declined in readership; and
adds that the 39 other publications owned by American City
Business Journals have also experienced growth.
Gift
Cards Most Requested Item, but Shop with Caution
The latest survey
by the National Retail Federation shows that 55 percent of
adults would like to receive a gift card this year. The good
news for shoppers is that gift cards are easier than ever
to buy, with some even available to purchase online, and
others are used as a "gift with purchase" incentive to bring
customers into stores. But buyers beware: read the fine print
on the card before you make the purchase. Although most major
retailers have eliminated fees and expiration dates on their
gift cards; bank-issued cards or those with a Visa, American
Express or MasterCard logo have not. These types of cards
are very popular since they can be used virtually anywhere,
but they can cost from $3.50-$7.00 just to purchase and
sometimes have "dormancy" fees if not used within a year.
In addition, banks charge a replacement fee if the card is
lost. A final word of caution: when you purchase a gift card
from a store or kiosk, make sure the security strip on the
back of the card has not been scratched off. If it has, it
is possible a thief has recorded the number and could use
the cash you put on the card to make purchases.
This article excerpted from Gift Cards: Fees & Fine Print,
a video article by Ray Martin on moneywatch.com.
Study
of Small Business Exports Underway
The U.S. International Trade Commission
(USITC) has launched the third of three studies that will
examine the extent and composition of U.S. exports by small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and factors that may
disproportionately impede U.S. SME exports. The USITC, an independent,
nonpartisan, fact finding federal agency, is conducting the
investigations in response to a request received in October
of this year. The report will focus on the characteristics
of SMEs that export services, the growth in exports of services,
and differences between large firms and SMEs that export
services. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection
with this investigation in Washington, DC, on February 9,
2010. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be
filed no later than 5:15 p.m., January 26, 2010, with the
Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street
SW, Washington, DC 20436. Delivery of the final report is
expected by October 6, 2010.
Member
News
PGAMA
is pleased to announce the return of Victor
Graphics in Baltimore, MD as an Association
member. The
full-service printing company primarily manufactures books
and services a wide array of markets, including international
publishing companies, non-profit trade and professional
associations, universities and colleges, and independent
publishers.
Also welcome new member House
of Printing in Burtonsville, MD. The firm serves
clients in the Baltimore-Washington metro area with customized,
cost-effective, and efficient printing services,
including digital pre-press, embossing, foil stamping, binding,
and finishing. Learn more at http://www.hopinc.com/contact/ or
call 301-384-4000.
DirectMail.com announces its
acquisition of Eagle Direct, LLC; the hiring of Eagle’s
former owner, Deborah Albro, and other key staff; and the
expansion of its Sales Division with industry veteran Dustina
Bittner.
Member firms Smith
Litho and
Consolidated Graphics both enjoyed the
spotlight as part of Printing Impressions magazine's
feature story on rising stars in the printing industry.
Smith Litho President Patrick Smith credited his father
and company founder Charlie Smith for instilling in him
a dedication to customer service, which he says is his
recipe for success. Sue Tate, National Account Manager
for Consolidated Graphics, also recognized her father for
his influence, noting his unselfishness, which played a
role in the development of her recipe for success: positive
attitude, long-term orientation, and work ethic. Read the
full article in the November 2009 issue.
Thank
you to those members who replied to PGAMA's request for
updates on FSC/SFI certification. But our database
is far from complete. Are you an FSC and/or
SFI certified printer? Please send a short email to Katie at
PGAMA if you
have attained certification from either group.
Upcoming
Events
| December 7-21 |
Annual Food
Drive-PGAMA members
are asked to donate non-perishable food items to help
the needy in our own community. All food collected
will be delivered to Manna Food Bank and the Maryland
Food Bank. Employers need only provide a space for
a collection carton and notify employees. All cartons
will be picked up beginning December 21. For more info,
contact Kyle Walker, 800-775-9528. |
| January 11 |
Deadline
for Excellence in Print Awards entries. Call
for entries brochures were mailed this week. Remember,
all PGAMA members can enter one piece for FREE! |
| February 16 |
Save
the Date for the MD Legislators’ Luncheon-Plan
to join us for this annual meet and greet with local
elected officials in Annapolis,
MD. Look for more info in upcoming
PGAMA newsletters and emails. |
February 28-
March 4 |
Printing
Industries of America Presidents' Conference,
Scottsdale, AZ. 2010 is
the year to reinforce the foundation of your
business. This year’s program was developed
with the intention of helping industry leaders
like you focus on the core elements of your business—those
things that can help you remain stable, as well as
increase profit margins. Topics to be addressed Include:
Communicating the Value of Print * Methods
for Cost Reduction * HR Issues * Economic Forecast
* And much more! Complete info and registration
at http://www.printing.org/page/3499. |
|
