May 8, 2006, Boston, MA -- The Revolution in Printing & Proofing, the topic of the upcoming June 14 dinner meeting of Boston Print Buyers, has attracted an international delegation of industry professionals who will attend the program, which is being co-sponsored by Kodak's Graphic Communication Group and Integrated Color Solutions. Ever since the development of color production technologies, a vital requirement (and challenge) for print buyers is having the final color quality of the printed output be true to the original creative vision -- and produced at the lowest possible cost. Over the long term, print industry specifications have not kept pace well with technological advances. But today, expert research based on digital imaging, spectrophotometry, and computer-to-plate (CtP) technologies has produced new state-of-the-art process controls – GRACoL 7 Methodology – that turns printing from an art to a science, once and for all! Developed by the printing industry's leading color experts, the groundbreaking GRACoL 7 methodology includes revolutionary techniques for dramatically improving print quality and consistency through the use of metrics that enable a closer visual match while providing faster time-to-market, quicker make-readies, and lower costs. All printing professionals who want to learn about the revolutionary printing techniques that can dramatically improve color quality on print jobs are invited to join us for this special program. The program will feature an expert panel presentation of information about GRACol 7, including: • How the new GRACoL process was developed. • Why new metrics will benefit everyone: creatives, prepress, printers and print buyers alike • What new metrics are important for creatives and print buyers to learn about and employ • What new requirements print buyers should ask for from their printers Panel of the Industry's Top Experts Our panelists include: Nick Patrissi, Eastman Kodak (Moderator) Nick Patrissi is Senior Manager Marketing Customer Development for the Graphic Communications Group of Eastman Kodak. In this role, Nick works with the various regions and product groups of Kodak to build brand awareness of Kodak Business Development Services and strengthen their offering of innovative tools, services and support for customers. John Dunn, xpedx John is xpedx's Corporate Accounts Group Production Director. As GRACoL's Production Director/consultant through xpedx, John assesses and advises all aspects of end-to end print production, working with agencies, printers and lettershops to optimize each process within the Microsoft Marketing production workflow. Most recently, John launched the largest PDF/X1a initiative in the history of commercial printing. John serves with the GRACoL Committee and is Chair of the DDAP workgroup as part of IDEAlliance. Gerald Gerlach, Integrity Graphics Gerry is co-chair of GRACoL and a member of the DISC committee. He began his career as a professional photographer. He is proficient in a variety of areas, including portraiture, sports, photojournalism, theater, and studio work. He has held several one-man shows, taught photography and was resident artist in Third Century Artist program in North Carolina. He has photographed Members of Congress as well as President Ford. Dianne Kennedy, Vice President, Publishing Technologies, IDEAlliance IDEAlliance is a not-for-profit membership organization that has been a leader in information technology since 1966. IDEAlliance advances core information technologies to develop standards and best practices that enhance efficiency and speed in all facets of content creation, production, management, and delivery – digitally and in print. Currently, Ms. Kennedy serves as Program Director for the IDEAlliance print media initiatives including SWOP, GRACoL and the Print Properties Committee. She is leading the new GRACoL Experts consultant's organization and the new Master Printers program. Ms. Kennedy is also chairperson for the AdsML XMP Committee and Program Director for the Digital Image Submission Criteria Working Group (DISC). Michele Laird-Williams, Director of Print Media, US&C Region, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group Michele and her team of print media marketing managers provide value to the advertising, publishing, corporate/brand owner and creative communities through education about the power of today's digital print technologies and best practices. Michele's career spans 19 years in sales, marketing and business management. She previously served as the Director of Media Relations for Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) and was the Eastern Zone Director of United States and Canada Sales KPG. She is an active member of leading industry associations, including IDEAlliance, Partnership in Print Production (P3), Advertising Production Club, Digital Ad Lab, and the Printing Industries of America (PIA). John P. Sweeney, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, ICS – Integrated Color Solutions, Inc. John joined ICS in 2004, after serving as Director, Color Measurement Systems at Graphics Microsystems, Inc. Previously, he was Vice President at GATF (Graphic Arts Technical Foundation) in Pittsburgh for four years, and before that he was product manager for a leading densitometer manufacturer. He currently serves on the SWOP, Inc. Board of Director, is a member of the GRACoL and SNAP committees, and is Vice President Pressroom and Executive Committee member of the R&E Council of NAPL. He also serves on the TAGA board of directors and CIP4 Advisory Board. Special Guests from China Boston Print Buyers is honored to welcome a delegation of printers from Shenzhen, China, where the GRACoL 7 (G7) trials are being conducted. Please join us on June 14th as we welcome our distinguished guests, among whom will be: Joseph J. Pasky, Vice President & Delegation Leader, Cathay America Joe Pasky originally hails from Clinton, MA, and now lives amidst the printing industry of Shenzhen, China. He is an RIT graduate and a GRACoL Expert. He brings more than 35 years' US printing and book manufacturing experience to China, including color reproduction and controls for sheetfed, web offset, and flexo printing. Mr. Ho Kar Hun, President & Chairman, Hong Kong Printers Association (HKPA) Mr. Ho Kar Hun is the Honorary President and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of The Hong Kong Printers Association (HKPA), Chairman of the Management Committee of Advanced Printing Technology Centre Ltd. (APTEC, a subsidiary of HKPA), Managing Director of Cheong Hing Printing Co., Ltd. and a Fellow of the Institute of Print-Media Professionals (IPP). He has been involved in the printing industry for over 50 years. Appointed by the Hong Kong government, Mr. Ho has a number of public service achievements, especially related to professional training within the printing industry. In 2004, Mr. Ho received the Distinguished Achievement Award at the 16th Hong Kong Print Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry.