The reaction to the first article, both at Print CEO and personal communication, has been overwhelming. Editors, consultants, affiliate managers and staff, educators, and, most of all, printers support merging the two commercial printing associations. There has been no word from NAPL or PIA.

Why am I expressing these opinions? Because no one else will.

My opinion is that the printing industry can no longer support multiple associations that more or less do the same thing. So far, most of the communication I have seen is in favor of consolidation. My initial comments were triggered by a letter sent by PIA to editors and others saying that it had extended an olive branch to NAPL and was rebuffed. I expressed my opinion that PIA, and specifically its current president, were part of the problem. And that the boards of both groups must be held accountable.