There is a grumble that is whispered in companies from time to time that there is no value in attending user groups or peer groups. The talk track is that you can call a vendor you work with or meet a local peer for coffee if you need to know something. Packing up to head to an offsite meeting is too time-consuming, and it is too hard to be away from the office. The reality, though, is that independent groups of printers who meet have a chance to network and learn, in a neutral setting, where the conversations can flow without the demands of their shop drowning out the opportunity to hear from others. Members of many networking and peer groups perform better than average in their segments because of what they learn in online and in-person meetings.

One group that embraces the mission to network and share is The Imaging Network Group (INg), which has been meeting for decades, allowing printers to learn from each other and form a reliable peer group. INg relies on its members to share information about their operations and to participate in knowledge exchanges designed to explore topics and evolving technologies relevant to the markets they serve.

The latest INg Executive Networking Forum convened at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, during the first week in March. The meeting opened with remarks from INg President Eric Hollingsworth (RevSpring) and the financial report from Treasurer Renee Hull. This group participates in many industry activities, including the USPS Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC), which sets the Promotional Discount calendar each year. Members are also active in lobbying activities and participation in related groups.