Alexandria , VA - November 2007 - The Print Services & Distribution Association (PSDA), formerly DMIA, announced today a new name and model for its regional trade show series.  The new series, FOCUS, will replace the Trademart series, and offer print distributors education and exhibitors who sell across a variety of vertical markets.
"Distributors today are looking for an edge by becoming more specialized," said Mike Pramstaller , vice president of meetings and expositions for PSDA. "They see vertical market penetration as a way to expand sales to existing clients as well as to gain new clients through a specialized area of expertise.  We have many members who see healthcare, security, hospitality, and other verticals as viable, lucrative industries for them to grow.  They are looking to us to provide them with the means by which to make it a successful venture. Revamping the Trademart series was a natural way to give distributors the guidance and support they need."
FOCUS events will commence with a 2 hour, end user panel discussion educating distributors about the different advantages and nuances they can expect from their respective industries.  "This type of insider information is exactly what distributors need to better understand the market," said Dennis McGarry , vice president of sourcing and education, when asked how the panel was chosen. "We are arming distributors with a solid plan and approach by hearing directly from the client what products and services they are looking for, how to break into a particular vertical market, and what their pain points are."
PSDA plans to take this education to the next level by providing attendees with a show directory that is categorized by vertical market.  This exhibitor directory will allow attendees interested in a particular industry to immediately locate exhibitors who produce products that can be sold to these verticals.  PSDA expects between 60 and 75 exhibitors at each show with products ranging from niche applications to common business solutions.
"Everyone wins," said Peter Colaianni, executive vice president of PSDA. "The distributor looking to discover new applications exclusively 'focused' on helping him or her sell into new verticals and the distributor looking for a tradeshow to find new vendors for standard printing applications both get a room full of 75 prospective printing partners."
For a complete list of FOCUS cities, visit PSDA online at www.psda.org .  FOCUS events are free of charge and open to any distributor in the printing industry. Event hours are from 9am - 2pm and lunch is served.