Lexington, KY – Photizo Group has been named a Foundation Member of the Managed Print Services Association. This elite membership level recognizes the key role played by Photizo from the earliest days of the association.

"The officers and Board of Directors of the MPSA are proud to have Photizo Group as our first official Foundation member and our first Foundation Member for 2011," said MPSA President Joe Barganier. Foundation Members represent organizations that have made the highest level of commitment in resources to the betterment of the MPS industry through the MPSA.

"Since our inception, the MPSA has grown significantly and internationally with the support of Photizo Group and the leadership of Ed Crowley," Barganier continued. Crowley, founder and CEO of Photizo, was the driving force behind the formation of the MPSA, and he was elected to the MPSA Board of Directors in 2009.

Association Idea Launched at Photizo MPS Conference

"The entire Photizo team is honored to be named the first Foundation Member. The idea for an association was initially discussed at our first North American MPS Conference in 2009. Later we helped build the MPSA LinkedIn community to over 3,000 members, and then handed over this group to the MPSA. The Association is a critical part of the MPS community, and Photizo has always been eager to support it however we can," said Crowley.

The idea of an association for the emerging MPS industry was launched at the first North American MPS Conference in the spring of 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. More than 110 people attended the kickoff meeting; a charter group was formed; and the MPSA was born with substantial support from Photizo. Today, the MPSA represents the end-user community, software and service vendors, hardware manufacturers, and resellers and dealers. Initiatives include establishing standards for MPS engagements and programs.

MPSA Awards Continue Tradition

The MPSA has been represented at every Photizo conference held across the globe in 2009 and 2010. The first actual MPSA membership meeting and MPS Leadership Awards took place in conjunction with Photizo's 2010 North American MPS Conference. The awards recognize organizations demonstrating leadership in implementing, providing or supporting MPS projects.

The tradition continues with the 2011 MPSA General Assembly and 2011 Leadership Awards ceremony to be held May 4 and 5, in conjunction with the 2011 Global MPS Conference which begins May 2. MPSA members receive a $250 discount off the standard conference registration rate using code MPSAP11.

For more information about the upcoming Global MPS Conference and other 2011 MPS Conferences around the world, visit http://www.mpsconference.com.