More than One Third of Association Members Turn Out for the Annual Event

Warrendale, PA – The 4^th annual NPOA (National Print Owners Association) Spring Owners Conference drew a record number of attendees to the Hotel Contessa in San Antonio, TX last week. The two day event featured a slate of high-powered speakers, association member panel discussions, and opportunities for exchanging ideas and sharing solutions to problems facing owners of graphic arts communication businesses.

Among other highlights was a status report by NPOA President Barry Martin who told attendees that the association is financially strong and growing, boasting 18 new members since February. He also reported that a recent agreement with Printing Industries of America for management services coupled with the strong financial situation has prompted the association’s board to cancel a dues increase scheduled for this year. Martin also noted that the Print Owners listserve which is owned and supported by NPOA has grown to 500 subscribers and is on track to hit 14,000 original messages in 2016.

Starting with Friday’s opening Keynote, the first day of the conference saw packed sessions and enthusiastic attendees. The sold-out event featured sessions on sales planning and process, owners as sales managers, sales prospecting, and sales follow up. Day one also featured the popular Ideas Exchange luncheon and ended with the Partners in Profit supplier showcase. Conference and showcase sponsors included Ricoh, Xerox, FastSigns, Printers Plan, Marketing Ideas for Printers, PrinterPresence, Canon, Discount Labels, Allegra, Heidelberg, accuzip, EFI, and the Global Graphics Network.

Day two concentrated on digital technology, social media, and human resources. It also offered a panel discussion on selling one’s business featuring NPOA members who are in the process of selling or have successfully sold their businesses. At the end of the busy day it was announced that the 5^th annual NPOA conference will be held February 2-4, 2017 at the Intercontinental Hotel in New Orleans, LA.