Paramus, N.J. – ”The Difference is YOU” is the theme of the 2011 Owners Conference to be held in Chicago Sept. 8-11. The only industry-wide event dedicated exclusively to small and mid-size commercial and quick printing businesses, the conference will provide printing owners in this segment the perfect lead-in to GRAPH EXPO 2011, Sept. 11-14.  The Owners Conference will take place at The Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, just two blocks from Michigan Avenue, and with free shuttle bus transportation to and from McCormick Place, site of GRAPH EXPO.
 
“We are very excited about the program we’ll be presenting this year and I know our members will be, too,” says NAPL President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph P. Truncale. “The Owners Conference Committee, co-chaired by our 2010 Printer of the Year Scott Cappel of Sorrento Mesa Printing, Nora Stevens of Clean Copy, Inc., and Paul Strack of CustomXM, are putting together an event that will offer a balance of strategic business insight and tactical management information owners can put into practice in their businesses immediately.”
 
“Our members are planning this conference to meet the specific needs of their fellow small and mid-size company owners and managers, so we know the presentations will be relevant and applicable to the kinds of real-world issues we face every day,” says NAPL Chairman Keith Kemp. “Every attendee will benefit from participating in this year’s event, not only learning from our great lineup of speakers and panelists, but also sharing information and ideas with their peers.”
 
“Our conference really gives small and mid-size business owners a chance to step back from working in their business and spend some time working on it,” says Mitch Evans, NAQP Advisory Board Chairman.
 
“Not only are there always very informative speakers and panels, but there are priceless opportunities to meet fellow owners who face the same issues and have the same goals, share experiences and solutions with them, and return home armed with new ideas and renewed energy.”
 
“As we continue to address the constant changes affecting our industry, the Owners Conference will provide us the chance to learn from those on the forefront of these changes,” says Strack. “I am really excited about this year’s conference—I know it will greatly assist me in finding ways to incorporate our current technology with the latest trends in industry, and enable all of us to learn “best practices” from our peers. Those are always my favorite takeaways. Technology, networking, new ideas, and Chicago; what could be better?”
 
“There’s an empowerment in the sharing that occurs when owners work together to improve each of our businesses,” says Stevens. “Our owners are some of the most unselfish people you will ever meet, and coming together with them each year lets us re-establish old connections, make new ones, and return refreshed and reinvigorated with a new passion for our own business.”

The 2011 Owners Conference co-chairs are working to develop a program that meets the specific needs of the quick and small commercial printing company owner and want to hear from members about topics or speakers they would like to see as part of this year’s event so it is tailored for maximum value to them.
 
Among the features already scheduled are a quick and small commercial printing trends analysis by NAPL Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Andrew Paparozzi; the annual tabletop Supplier Showcase reception previewing GRAPH EXPO displays; the popular Ideas Exchange; and the 2011 PrintImage Excellence Awards presentation ceremony.
 
The Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, midway between Michigan Avenue shops and the Navy Pier, is within walking distance of Chicago attractions such as Water Tower Place, Millennium Park, and the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. The hotel, which recently completed a $21 million renovation, features such amenities as the Markethouse restaurant, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and a 24-hour business center, and offers a room rate under $190.
 
”We believe the hotel will be a perfect—and affordable—venue for our 2011 conference,” says NAPL Director of Membership Kristen Kitchen. “We know that our members will enjoy both a great program and a wonderful setting for connecting with their friends and industry colleagues.”