(November 13, 2008) Three industry associations have signed on as Association Sponsors for the upcoming 2nd Annual "The Business of Green Media" sustainability conference at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo on January 22, 2009. The associations are Printing Industry Association of Southern California (PIASC), Printing Industries of Northern California (PINC), and the Gravure Association of America (GAA). The conference will provide direction on how to implement sustainability programs profitably in a "down economy" and when done properly how sustainable practices can reduce operating costs.

Quote from Tom Stodola, Director of Management Services for PIASC

"The current economic climate has somewhat dampened the advertising of green initiatives by many major companies; however, this does not mean that they have abandoned it or that their vendors have reduced the demands for sustainable conduct. We believe that green, sustainable conduct will continue to be a minimum requirement by many companies when selecting commercial partners; therefore, it is imperative that printers and graphic communication firms embrace sustainable business practices in all facets of their operations. It is also important that they are able to communicate these practices to their customers and prospective customers in clear and verifiable terms."

Quote from Dan Nelson, President of PINC

"Sustainability is rapidly becoming a staple for the printing, publishing, and related graphic communication industries. Being 'green' and demonstrating sustainable practices is what will attract printing industry customers in the future. Sustainability and green is an opportunity for all printers. In terms of marketing, it will be what digital was five years ago."

According to Harvey Levenson, Department Head of Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department, "No printing process is exempt from the governmental requirements and social responsibility of developing sustainable practices, and keeping records to demonstrate to present and prospective customers that measures are being taken to protect the environment. All processes from toner-based and inkjet to those using the largest printing presses, such as gravure, are expected to comply. This conference will provide direction for compliance."

Roger Ynostroza, former longtime executive editor of Graphic Arts Monthly and present editor of Gravure Magazine will be the conference's keynote banquet speaker. Ynostroza said, "Gravure printers, paper suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and end-users recognize that, to achieve the full benefits of sustainability, they must continue moving way beyond the stage of 'doing the right thing' and rah-rah environmentalism. They realize that, with real commitment, persistent hard work, meaningful investment, and cooperative efforts, they can win short-term business gains, medium-term stability, and long-term success as an enterprise. I'm convinced that thoughtful education and example, conveyed in classrooms, at targeted conferences, or through magazine pages, are sure-fire ways to lift the media industries to each next level."

According to Don Carli, Conference Chairperson and EVP of SustainCommWorld, "Leading supply chain and strategic sourcing organizations among the Fortune 1000 and major government agencies see the economic downturn adding intensity to a shakeout in the printing industry resulting in significant loss of capacity. They see sustainability as the new IQ-test for companies that will be able to weather the downturn and also have the resilience to support them during the eventual recovery. This conference will provide graphic communication service providers and vendors with the insights and resources they will need to survive the downturn and thrive in the years ahead."

Conference sponsors to date are: AdMail, Cal Poly, Heidelberg, Hewlett Packard, Kodak, manroland, RR Donnelley, Utah Paperbox, American Printer Magazine, Graphic Arts Monthly, ReCharge Asia Magazine, Printer's NW Trader Magazine, as well as the Gravure Association of America, Printing Industries of Northern Californian, and Printing Industries Association of Southern California.

The conference is produced by SustainCommWorld and hosted by the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly. See the conference web site for the conference program and registration information.

http://www.BusinessOfGreenMedia.com/

Early bird registration ends on December 15.
See the conference web site on how to become a sponsor.