ARLINGTON, Va. (Feb. 19, 2004) — Want to know how to use print to help build a brand or how to integrate it into a larger, overall campaign? Need advice on creating a leaner organization? Looking to implement higher standards with your print suppliers or want to be prepared for the latest changes in postal regulations? Then make plans to attend Print Oasis 2004, the annual print buyer’s conference and expo sponsored by Print Buyers Online.com. Print Buyers Online.com, a free educational e-community for print buyers, production professionals and their suppliers, will host its annual Print Oasis Conference & Exhibit on April 18 – 21, 2004 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and has secured a number of industry pundits and experts to tell print buyers just what they need to know to stay ahead in today’s competitive and ever-changing market. “We’re very excited about the speakers and variety of seminars scheduled for this year’s Print Oasis,” says Suzanne Morgan, founder of Print Buyers Online.com and the Print Oasis Conference. “There’s really something here for everyone and we’ve kept our focus on providing information that print buyers can use in their everyday work lives.” Branding has become a major issue for many marketing departments in recent years and Print Oasis has several sessions designed to address the challenges print buyers are now facing. Mac Byrd, senior manager of brand relationship marketing for Agfa Corporation, will host a panel of seasoned print buyers and brand managers to discuss specific challenges they’ve faced as well as successes they’ve achieved in maintaining corporate brands. Many of today’s branding campaigns include a media mix, requiring that all marketing efforts be fully integrated. Dr. Joe Webb, a 25-year veteran of the graphic arts industry, will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday and will speak about the restructuring of the print business and what it means for printers and print buyers as well as where print is headed from a business perspective as a result of new marketing theories and practices. While marketers are bombarded with options for getting their message out – from traditional direct mail to Internet banner ads and web logs – print remains the most effective medium. Suzanne Morgan, founder of Print Buyers Online.com, will share exclusive research on the trends in print buying today, including information from print buyers as well as from companies that buy printing. Paul Riley, CEO and chairman of the board for Mail-Well, Inc. and a founding member of The Print Council, is Print Oasis’ keynote speaker on Monday and share additional and compelling research on the effectiveness of print media over other media. The research, compiled by The Print Council, will provide buyers with the ammunition about which print campaigns are the most successful. Another issue facing many in the graphic arts industry today is a tough economy and a mandate to implement more cost-effective measures and practices. Susan Kelly, managing partner of Raine Consulting, offers a seminar addressing lean leadership and will share the five principles of lean enterprises as well as examples of best practices and assessment tools attendees can use to help identify areas for improvement in their own organizations. In addition, Nancy Guy Freeman, a senior account executive with EU Services and a seasoned direct marketer, presents a hands-on seminar that promises to uncover common (and not so common) budget busters that affect print jobs. Attendees at this seminar will come away with invaluable insights on issues that can cost unnecessary time and money. Additionally, Print Oasis 2004 will address the standards that guide our industry. Enovation’s Larry Warter will describe new standards facing print buyers today as well as various workflow options available today. John Sweeney of Integrated Color Solutions will also address how these standards affect the new realm of remote proofing. For many print buyers, getting the materials printed is only half of the job; they must also be concerned with the distribution and mailing of those print projects. Ben Cooper, executive vice president for public policy at the Printing Industries of America, will discuss new postal reform issues as well as how postal rate changes might affect your bottom line. Print Oasis 2004 features more than 60 exhibitors, including printers, proofing companies, major technology firms and paper manufacturers, as well as a paper show and more than 19 educational seminars and presentations with industry experts. “I never thought I could learn so much in such a short period of time,” remarks Doris Nodtvedt, who attended Print Oasis in 2003. “Dynamic speakers and interesting sessions made this conference a very worthwhile investment! Outstanding job to everyone who worked hard to assure that participants got all their questions answered. Thank you!” Print Oasis is the only independent conference focused on the needs and challenges of print buyers, specifiers and production professionals and will be held this year at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Fla., just 15 minutes from the Ft. Lauderdale airport. This oceanfront resort hotel also features two outdoor pools, championship golf and a European-inspired spa. “What a great surprise to find such an information-packed seminar relating to my job. Great job! Thank you,” added Jeanne Imbrigiotta, communications project specialist at the Law School Admission Council. Cost for the three-day conference, including the full conference with all sessions, exhibits, opening gala, resource binder, luncheons and continental breakfasts, is $699 per person. Tickets are also available for the exhibits or the opening gala/paper show individually. Tickets for Sunday night’s Paper Show and Opening Gala are $50 and features 75 exhibitors. Attendees interested only in visiting the exhibits are able to purchase tickets for Monday for just $35. For more information about the conference or to register, please visit the main conference page at www.printbuyersonline.com/printoasisconf.asp or call Print Buyers Online.com at (703) 534-9305 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. In addition to hosting the annual Print Oasis Conference, Print Buyers Online.com also offers free tools and resources to print buyers and others working in the industry, including expert advice, articles, tips and answers to member questions as well as the latest news and updates from around the industry. About Print Buyers Online.com With more than 6,000 members, who purchase more than $6.1 billion in printing each year, Print Buyers Online.com is the premiere place for education and information for print buyers. Print Buyers Online.com is a free, educational e-community for print buyers, production professionals, and their suppliers. PBO provides tips, articles, Q&As, tools and resources to help print buyers learn new and existing technologies and best practices for the business of working with print suppliers. In addition to providing valuable information, Print Buyers Online.com conducts research to understand the needs and challenges of the print buying community. For more information, please visit www.printbuyersonline.com.