SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 27, 2001 - The Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA), the premier association for management professionals in the paper and pulp industry, has signed on as a major sponsor of the 2002 Paper Summit, scheduled for March 4-6, 2002 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. PIMA will, for the first time, join TAPPI, the leading technical association for the worldwide pulp, paper, and converting industries, in providing pulp and paper professionals with the most comprehensive conference and exposition event in North America. The Paper Summit was purchased by paperloop, the leading multimedia information and e-business network for the global paper, printing and converting industries, in April 2001. Started in the 1960's, the Paper Summit is the foremost pulp and paper industry equipment and technology exhibit in North America, and attracts more than 500 exhibitors and 9,000 attendees. Held every three years in Atlanta, it is the primary gathering for paper company management and technical personnel to talk with suppliers, view equipment and make purchasing decisions. "We are delighted that the premier industry association for management professionals is joining the top association for technical and management issues to sponsor the paper industry's leading forum," said Leo Nadolske, vice president of paperloop events. "The Summit has always focused on technology and, while it won't lose that emphasis in 2002, PIMA's presence as a sponsor will help broaden the show's scope and attract a more diverse industry audience." As a sponsor, PIMA will assist in the promotion and marketing of the event, as well as providing members to serve on the Conference Advisory Committee, and assist in development of a management-related program content to be held in conjunction with Paper Summit. TAPPI will continue to be significantly involved in the event as a co-sponsor and leading content provider, as well as working with paperloop to build a high-quality technical program to accompany the expo. "We support paperloop's effort to make the Paper Summit the major event where everyone in the industry can come to find solutions to their technical and management challenges," said Scott Baumruck, executive vice president and COO of PIMA. These sentiments were echoed by Wayne Gross, executive director and COO of TAPPI, who said, "PIMA's participation will add a valuable new dimension to this highly successful event."