Pittsburgh, PA., May 10, 2005 - Former Ambassador L. Paul Bremer opened the 53rd Web Offset Association (WOA) Conference in Dallas to an audience of nearly 700 guests. His presentation garnered a standing ovation to what participants said was a “true American hero.” Jerry Williamson, CEO Williamson Printing Company (Dallas, TX) began the industry-focused program, followed by Robert Brown, CEO, Goss International Corporation. Brown challenged the WOA and its members to focus on increasing the share of web offset printing and to target the marketing originators with the effectiveness of the printed piece.  George J. Tenet, former CIA director, was the keynote on second day with a pertinent presentation on leadership in change. Tenet related his restructuring of the CIA to the tasks of leaders in printing companies, highlighting the people as his first priority. He challenged leaders to focus on pay for performance, reducing turnover, and attracting the best and the brightest young people. “Tenet captured this audience when he revealed that he worked as a pressman helper for two years,” said one participant.  His presentation demonstrated his passion for people—a direction that many speakers throughout the program recommended as the road to growth and profits.  Some of the other speakers who shared the podium during the general sessions were Steve Zuccarini of InnerWorkings, Barry Meinerth of Time, Inc., and Camille Keith of Southwest Airlines. Attendees also heard from Ray Prince (PIA/GATF), Ron Kendig (Xerox), and Ronnie Davis (PIA/GATF), along with numerous practitioners and suppliers during this three-day event. In addition to the 17 sessions, tutorials, and general sessions, participants received a report on Weaving a Web of Success, a profile of two highly successful web offset printers, as well as a summary of PIA/GATF’s research on web offset piling, Heatset Web Offset Performance Study. Additionally, WOA announced the changing of officers at the meeting. Ed Majerczak of Berlin Industries turned over the helm of chairman of the board to Ralph Pontillo of Transcontinental Printing, Inc, and Mike Neroni of Day International relinquished his role as chairman of the Supplier Advisory Board to Bill Miller of Flint Ink.  William Hogg, Jr., EVP of Valassis Manufacturing Company, received the highly regarded Harry V. Quadracci VISION Award, and Al Hutton, Publishers Printing Company, was recognized for the completion of his term on the Board. The 2006 WOA Conference is slated for May 22–24 in Orlando Florida. For more information on the Web Offset Association, contact Rick VilaRoger at 800-910-4283, ext. 804.