Pittsburgh, PA, February 26, 2007 - Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) has issued an industry-wide call for nominations for the PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Awards. The nomination deadline is May 31, 2007. This award recognizes technologies that are deemed likely to have a major impact on the industry and become commercially successful within the next five years. Established in 1978 as an industry service, the InterTech Awards promote an understanding of advanced technology in the graphic arts. These awards have a proven history for predicting which technologies will greatly influence the printing industry. In fact, of the prior award winners, over 80% proved commercially successful in the marketplace. Awards usually mirror industry interest in press design, manufacturing excellence, environmental issues, standards, quality control, digital printing, and workflow. Last year, eleven innovative technologies were recognized. Automation and touch-less workflow took center stage in 2006, reflecting the industry’s interest in streamlining the entire process. The judges recognized numerous technologies including printing presses as well as packaging, ink, software, and direct mail technologies, all of which are continually evolving. Although PIA/GATF is the sponsor of the award and coordinator of the award process, the organization does not select the recipients. An independent award selection committee, comprised of industry technical experts and users, determines the recipients. It is not necessary to be a PIA/GATF member to nominate or be nominated for an award. InterTech Award recipients will be notified no later than July 28, 2007; however, the award presentation will be held at a luncheon during the PIA/GATF Fall Administrative Meetings, scheduled for November 8–11, 2007 in Chicago, IL. This forum hosts an impressive audience of industry leaders, including boards of directors and committee members for PIA/GATF, its Ben Franklin Society (formerly the Society of Fellows and the Ash Khan Society), and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF). Representatives of the selected technologies will receive a custom-engraved InterTech Technology Award—a colorful multi-layered, hand-crafted Lucite sculpted star. The entry fee for each nomination is $1,500 and must be postmarked before May 31, 2007. To receive a nomination form, visit www.gain.net and search for “InterTech.” For additional information on the award, contact Dr. Mark Bohan at 800-910-4283, ext. 782 or [email protected].