Portland, OR - Pacific Printing Industries (PPI) announces an exciting new workshop in Seattle, Green Forest University's "College of Paper & Print" on October 19th and sponsored by Konica Minolta and West Linn Paper Company.

PPI launched Green Forest University's "College of Paper & Print" in June and received very high marks from the attendees of the full day workshop. Northwest business owners, sales managers and buyers learned how to improve their bottom lines while making responsible and sustainable decisions for their companies.

The College of Paper & Print exemplifies PPI's focus on The Power of Continuing Education in a Changing Marketplace. At the Seattle workshop industry leaders Jason Grant, Peter Nowack, Ian Hanna and Brian Hart will present the latest in green printing and sustainable paper choices. The sessions are designed to prepare marketers, designers, printers, and print/paper buyers with the tools to make environmentally responsible decisions for their company or client.  A Portland workshop attendee, Cecil Chipman of Premier Press, commented that the workshop had "Very helpful information from all. Every time I come to one of the Sustainable conferences I leave with great pieces of helpful information as well as being revitalized in helping our company get on track." 

Speaker Jason Grant has been a leader in the movement toward a sustainable forest products industry. In 1992, he co-founded EcoTimber, a pioneering distributor of ecological forest products. EcoTimber was among the first companies in the world to bring to market products from forests certified to the stringent environmental and social standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).  Jason is the founder of Green Forest University and the principal of Jason Grant Consulting.

The author of "The Green Guide for Graphic Communications," Peter Nowack is a marketing strategist, writer, and presenter with more than 25 years of experience in marketing communications, advertising, and public relations. For more than 15 years, Peter has focused on the business-to-business marketing and environmental marketing needs of resource-dependent companies and organizations, including those in the pulp, paper, forest products, printing and energy sectors.  Peter's firm, PrintLeadership, is a sustainability and environmental marketing consultancy focused on the graphic communications industry.

Special guest, Ian Hanna, Director of Development for FSC, US, will share news updates from FSC and the organization's plans to reduce fees through adjusted group certification guidelines and the renewed value proposition for FSC in the future. Portland workshop attendee, Kim Cross of Seattle Envelope, reported, "I really enjoyed the workshop. Ian as the guest speaker really made it for me. I found him informative, interesting and appreciated his candor."

Brian Hart, has over 25 years experience in the custom manufacturing and graphic communications marketplace. As member of the SGP Sustainable Green Printing Partnership Board of Directors, Brian supports SGP's worldwide movement to reduce environmental impact and increase social responsibility of the print and graphic communications industry through sustainable green printing practices.

Konica Minolta and West Linn Paper are sponsoring the "College of Paper & Print" workshop. Konica Minolta is  hosting it at their facility near SeaTac and their "Plan_it Green" strategy will show you how to save energy, reduce waste and promote recycling.  West Linn Paper Company will discuss the elements of the paper manufacturing process and provide the latest details on recycled fiber, forestry certifications and greenhouse gas emissions to help you understand what to look for when you make your green paper selections.

For an October 19th workshop agenda, including breakout sessions, visit www.ppiassociation.org, What's Happening/Events page.