June 5, 2006 -- The leading regional conference for owners and executives of printing and graphic communications in northeastern United States’ $14 billion print marketplace will take place Sept. 14-17 at The Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vt. The three-day conference is hosted by Printing Industries of New England, the region’s largest trade association that serves more than 430 member companies. John A. Saxton, president and chief executive officer of The Sheridan Group since 1995, will be the keynote speaker. The Sheridan Group is ranked by Printing Impressions magazine as the 29th largest printing company in the U.S. and Canada with $288 million in total sales in 2005. Saxton, a member of the National Association of Printing Leadership’s Walter E. Soderstrom Society, will discuss how The Sheridan Group remains competitive in a changing marketplace. “As technology allows our industry to grow and expand, the challenges faced by management in remaining relevant and competitive require new and different approaches,” said PINE President Jim Tepper. “We’re fortunate to have John Saxton tell the Sheridan Story and to share with attendees his view of where the industry is headed. “It’s always good to have leaders from the industry share their views and visions with peers and to interact in a friendly and healthy exchange,” he said. Resort setting provides relaxed environment PINE’s annual Print Management Conference is always held in a New England resort setting, and this year’s 27th annual conference returns to Woodstock, Vt., considered one of the “prettiest small towns in America.” The inn is located at the historic community’s town green. “We strive for a balance of industry information with leisure activities ranging from the opening golf outing Thursday afternoon to tours of historic sites and places of interest,” Tepper said. “Woodstock is also well known for its area crafts people and artists, downtown shops and more.” Hiking, walking, bicycling and other activities abound. In addition to Saxton, conference speakers include Marc Olin, senior vice president/general manager of EFI; labor relations attorney Nicholas J. Fiorenza; and lean manufacturing expert Rena Janus. “The 2005 PINE Print Management Conference was terrific,” said Kevin Kervick, owner and president of Bassette Company of Springfield, Mass. “The ‘take home’ value of the seminars was exceptionally high. Several speakers covered topics that addressed immediate concerns that I have as an owner of a diversified communications company. In addition, the kinds of people who attend the conference are people who are interested in learning and growing. Associating with these attendees is a great way to learn from leading edge printers.”