ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA (April 26, 2001) – The Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated hosted approximately 30 Japanese delegates with the Japan Graphic Services Industry Association, known by its Japanese acronym (JaGra), which is touring graphic arts facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada during late April and early May. PIA staff greeting the JaGra delegates and providing overviews of PIA and the U.S. graphic arts industry included the following: Michael Makin, chief operating officer; Mary Garnett, vice president, executive development; Tom Basore, special industry groups administrator; and Steve Kodey, economics research assistant. Leonard Stewart, who oversees E-business standards for the Graphic Communications Association (GCA), of Alexandria, also addressed the delegates. To commemorate the delegation’s visit to PIA, Makin and JaGra Executive Vice President Takenori Okamoto exchanged gifts and the other visitors received GCA valises. JaGra’s visit to the Alexandria headquarters building was not PIA’s only recent international endeavor. Ray Roper, president and chief executive officer, attends the seventh World Paint Congress in Beijing, China, May 20-25, and visits the cities of Shanghai and Xian through May 31. "Though PIA serves members in the U.S. and Canada, the entire industry benefits by sharing information with overseas firms and trade groups," said Makin. "Like all modern industries, the graphic arts field is part of the global economy."