March 5th, 2004 – Celebrating 36 years as the communication forum for the exchange of information, news and views for users of Goss newspaper press equipment, the Metro Users Group met in Houston TX, February 28th to March 3rd 2004. Hosted by The Houston Chronicle, this 2004 event was a success with newspaper production people attendance up 15% on 2003. On Sunday February 29th over 200 conference delegates had a plant tour at The Houston Chronicle South West facility, where they saw the 72 unit Goss Metroliner press installation and met the home newspaper team. The Metro Users Group was formed in 1968 to allow the sharing of knowledge of leading edge newspaper production techniques, plus to promote the use of lithographic offset printing of newspapers, which at that time was in its first stages of growth. Over the last 36 years the group has contributed greatly to driving change and growth in offset newspaper production in America and around the world. Russ Christensen, President of the Metro Users Group 2003/04 commented, “The Metro Users Group is the largest newspaper users organization in the world and has contributed to the growth and sharing of knowledge on quality offset lithographic printing. World Newspaper Press Systems Praising delegates for their participation, Russ Christensen continued, “We continue to grow. Our success is based on having annual participation. It’s the sharing, networking and communicating that makes a successful conference. Our annual meeting, plus our other activities, provide a unique forum for the free exchange of information, ideas, questions and problem solving opportunities. The annual meeting in particular allows communication with candor, plus a valuable interaction forum in and around the main conference and breakout sessions”. In 1968 a small group of Goss Metro users which included Ed Padilla (then Assistant Production Director at the Sacramento Union) and Don Campbell (Publisher of the Vancouver Columbian) met at the ANPA show in June to form an organization that would provide a communication, solutions and innovations forum. Over the 36 year period since then Metro Users has expanded to embrace Goss double width models including Metro-Offset, Metroliner, Cosmo-Offset, Headliner Offset, Colorliner and Newsliner, as well as the Universal range. The group has continued to grow and the 2004 meeting at the new Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston marked some very impressive milestones: Over 600 people in total attended the 2004 conference Within this number, 325 newspaper production delegates attended, marking a 15% increase on the successful 2003 conference in New Orleans These newspaper production delegates represented over 110 newspapers or newspaper groups Delegates came from the United States, Canada, Latin America and Singapore 90 vendors were represented in an exhibition area integral with the conference Jochen Meissner, Goss International Executive Vice President concluded, “Goss International values the relationship it has with its total customer base and with the Metro Users Group in particular. Our ability to provide customers with the best support, value and technology depends on learning their needs and then responding quickly and efficiently. “The Metro Users Group is a key part of our customer activity. We dedicate ourselves to support the Metro Users Group, now and in the future.” New Metro Users Group President for 2005 - 2006 Larry Appleby will become the new Metro Users Group President for 2005-2006, succeeding Russ Christensen. Larry is the Print Manager for The Arizona Republic and has been a member of the Metro Users Executive Board for three years, serving as Treasurer. Larry has held multiple management positions within the pressroom over his career that has spanned over 42 years.