SOUTHBOROUGH, MA (Aug. 5, 2003) —Three printing company chief executive officers who have led their organizations to new levels of success during a prolonged economic slump for business and industry will deliver keynote addresses at the 24th annual Northeast Regional Print Management Conference this September. The conference, sponsored by Printing Industries of New England and three other northeast industry associations, will be held Sept. 11-14 at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, N.H. David Branch, chairman of Branch-Smith Printing, a sheetfed printing company in Fort Worth, Texas, that specializes in magazines, catalogs, and other bound products, will give one keynote address. Branch was named earlier this year as the 2003 Sheetfed Executive of Year. That award was announced soon after his company was selected as a recipient of the 2002 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award by the U.S. Department of Commerce for exemplary achievements in leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, human resources, process management, and business results. The award recognizes the quality and performance achievements of US organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. Branch’s guiding principles are to have a vision on what you want your business to be; stay focused on that vision; maintain discipline in the deployment of that vision; keep a holistic view of the stakeholders in your organization; and enable your employees with the tools to do their job and grow. He’ll share with conference attendees his company’s journey that led to their selection for the Baldrige award in the small business category. Michael Marcian, chief executive officer of Corporate Press, Landover Md., will highlight the efforts his firm has made to broaden its services for customers into the fulfillment and distribution areas. Marcian currently serves as the chairman of the board of Directors of the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) the nation’s largest management organization to serve the printing and graphic arts industries. Raymond W. Lawton, chairman of Lawton Printing, Inc. in Spokane, WA, and the 2002 Sheetfed Executive of the Year, will discuss with attendees his firm’s efforts to differentiate itself in the marketplace and establish a connected sales network. Seeing a shift in the needs of clients, Lawton transformed his company from a traditional sheetfed printing firm to a diversified company with four separate divisions: commercial printing, File-Ez Folder, Inc.; Lawton Publication; and Index Tab Division. By doing so, that gave his firm the flexibility to serve business outside of the traditional ink-on-paper needs of clients. Joining these industry leaders at the four-day conference are leading experts sharing information and knowledge on the prospects for the economy, new tax advantages for small businesses, and human resource and marketing areas. A golf tournament, spouse programs, a trip on the famous Mount Washington Cog Railway and more, round out the program. For more details go to www.pine.org or call Carol Taylor at 800-365-7463.