Randy Davidson to be honored for influential web site that helps graphic communications execs
SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. (Oct. 11, 2007) - Randy Davidson, the founder and president of WhatTheyThink.com, a web site that serves the commercial printing and graphic communications industry, has been named the 2007 recipient of Printing Industries of New England's Influencer Award.
Davidson will be honored at PINE's annual Industry Awards Gala, Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel in Framingham, Mass.
Davidson saw the Internet as a means to deliver relevant business information to industry executives on a daily business as well as a forum for industry leaders to comment on trends and developments, hence the web site name "WhatTheyThink.com."
"Randy is a leading example of how the power of the Internet can be harnessed and used by printing and graphic communications to their advantage," said PINE President Jim Tepper. "Who would have thought years ago that a specific web site could evolve to become a valued source of information on topics ranging from economic data to technological developments and trends to simply a forum for readers to let you know what they think.
"Once viewed as a threat to printing, our industry collectively has learned how to use the Internet to our advantage, whether through online order entry systems, another marketing channel, and as an avenue to distribute information.
"WhatTheythink.com with more than 50,000 subscribers has become influential in a positive way by providing unbiased information that is another resource to help industry executives set their companies' strategic direction," said Tepper.
"We created the Influencer Award to acknowledge the contributions of individuals whose innovative ideas, enthusiasm and devotion has helped to propel our industry forward. We applaud Randy and his team for his efforts and are thrilled to present this award to him."
Past PINE Influencer Award winners include Roger Ynostroza, editor and chief of Graphic Arts Monthly magazine for 22 years before he retired in 2006; co-recipients Warren Loomis and Nicholas Orem, partners of Logic Associates, one of the first computer-based print management systems; Richard Williams, a scientist at Presstek whose laser research was instrumental in advancing direct imaging technology; and inaugural winner, Frank Romano, industry consultant and professor emeritus from the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Print Management.
Since its inception, PINE's Influencer Award has been sponsored by Heidelberg.
Schedule and ticket information
The Industry Awards Gala opens with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. Awards of Excellence winners will be on display in the reception area. Several vendors will staff tabletop exhibits during the opening reception to give attendees the chance to learn more about their products and services. The banquet begins promptly at 7 p.m. Announcement of all awards will be made throughout the evening.
Individual tickets cost $60. Tables of 10 are available for $560. The Sheraton Framingham Hotel is located at 1657 Worcester Road (Route 9) in Framingham. The hotel is easily accessible from Exit 12 off the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90).
Tickets can be purchased through the PINE web site at www.pine.org or by calling PINE directly at 508-804-4100 or 1-800-365-7463.