HOUSTON, TX -- Faced with a challenging business environment, declining sales, and shrinking profits, many companies are reacting defensively by slashing budgets of departments critical to generating income, such as advertising and marketing. Houston-based Consolidated Graphics, Inc., which provides industry-leading, end-to-end print production and management solutions, believes this is the ideal time for visionary sellers to launch a marketing offensive. On March 26, CGX will join with other leading firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Eastman Kodak, and Adobe, plus experts from academia and industry organizations, to host Emerge, a conference in Washington D.C. that will help some 300 customers from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia do more with less.

“The current downturn presents a golden opportunity for forward-looking companies to increase their market presence and build a lasting advantage while competitors are in a defensive mode,” said Aaron Grohs, CGX executive vice president, sales and marketing. “At the same time, economic realities dictate that every dollar is spent purposefully and efficiently to deliver measurable results. Emerge is all about leveraging technology and innovation to build market share while working within tight budgets. Our investment in these conferences, which are planned for several cities nationwide, is part of our commitment to being a valued business partner to our customers.”

John Kastner, vice president, corporate marketing communications for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Emerge conference. Kastner will share examples and results of technologies that have become his company’s most powerful ally against the turbulent economy and relentless competitive pressures. Breakout sessions scheduled throughout the day will present practical approaches and realworld examples on how to make every dollar count. Session topics include:

• Personalization and cross-media strategies that dramatically boost response rates.

• Web2Print technologies that automate processes to create efficiencies and cut costs.

• Digital print-on-demand capabilities that virtually eliminate obsolescence and waste.

• Techniques for measuring ROI and proving the value of marketing campaigns.

“Digital printing has opened a realm of possibilities that continue to make print media a relevant and highly effective tool for marketers in the electronic era,” Grohs adds. “At the same time, powerful online print procurement systems that automate processes are helping customers cut costs, improve accuracy and get their materials to market faster. Consolidated Graphics has looked beyond the current economic downturn to stay ahead of the curve in identifying market trends, and has continued investing in the best people, technology and equipment to serve our customers, including $50 million in new digital solutions.”

Consolidated Graphics goes beyond the traditional definition of a commercial printer by creating end-to-end print production and management solutions that are based on the needs of customers to improve their results. The company’s coast-to-coast network of printing, fulfillment and technology centers includes 200 high-end digital presses in the world’s largest and most advanced integrated digital footprint. Its 70 facilities, strategically located in or near virtually every major U.S. market, include: Automated Graphic Systems, White Plains, MD; PCA, Timonium, MD; H&N Printing, Timonium, MD; GraphTec, Jessup, MD; Westland Printers, Burtonsville, MD; Mt. Vernon Printing, Landover, MD; S&S Graphics, Laurel, MD, Piccari Press, Warminster, PA and Tursack, Inc, Morgantown, PA.