Pittsburgh,Pa., March 7, 2005 - Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) has issued an industry-wide call for nominations for the InterTech Technology Awards. The nomination deadline is May 31, 2005. This award recognizes technologies that are deemed likely to have a major impact on the industry in the next five years and become commercially successful in the marketplace. Every year the industry and the media anxiously await the announcement of InterTech Technology Award recipients. Give your company the opportunity to be on this prestigious list in 2005. Established in 1978 as an industry service, this award promotes an understanding of advanced technology in the graphic arts. The award has a proven history for predicting which technologies will have a major impact on the printing industry. Awards have usually mirrored industry interest in environmental issues, standards, quality control, software, post press operations, electronic controls and systems, digital printing, and desktop production. Of the prior award recipients, over 80 percent have proven commercially successful in the marketplace. Last year, 13 innovative technologies were recognized, several reflecting innovations in areas that do not often see revolutionary improvements: bindery, new inks, and coating blanket preparation. Furthermore, several technologies addressed productivity needs for the growing demand of shorter runs by reducing makeready times instead of increasing equipment speeds. One technology synchronizes and optimizes all aspects of the print production line. Although PIA/GATF sponsorís the awardand coordinates the awardprocess, PIA/GATF does not select the recipients. An independent awardselection committee is made up of industry technical experts and users. It is not necessary to be a PIA/GATF member to nominate or be nominated for an award. Representatives of the selected technologies will receive a custom-engraved InterTech Technology Awardóa colorful multi-layered, hand-crafted Luciteô sculpted star. The award is presented at a reception and dinner that is a highlighted event of the PIA/GATF Fall Administrative Meetings scheduled forNovember 11ñ14, 2005at the Argent Hotel San Francisco. This forum hosts an impressive audience of industry leaders, members of the board of directors, committee members for PIA/GATF, the Society of Fellows, the Ash Khan Society, and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF). The entry fee for each nomination is $1,250 and must be postmarked beforeMay 31, 2005. To receive a nomination form, visit www.GAIN.net, click on PIA/GATF, then select Awards and Recognition or contact PIA/GATF at 412-259-1705. For additional information, contactJohn Lind, PIA/GATFís director of research, by phoning 412-259-1815 or by emailing [email protected].