Association develops robust speaker lineup for daily mini-sessions showcasing ways industry experts and USPS officials are addressing today’s hottest mail topics. 

Alexandria, Va. - The consolidated Association of Marketing Service Providers (AMSP), National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), and National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP) is developing and hosting the inaugural Solutions Theater during the 2014 National Postal Forum (NPF), March 16-19 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The new Solutions Theater will feature more than a dozen experts from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), as well as a number of mail-related fields.

“The National Postal Forum is the premier gathering for anyone involved in a mailing-related business and offers an unparalleled program of educational sessions on issues touching those providing printing, mailing, fulfillment, or marketing services,” says Ken Garner, Chief Operating Officer of the association, which was formed by the merger of AMSP and NAPL in January. 

“We are very excited to have had the opportunity to develop a program of speakers for the NPF’s new Solutions Theater venue and gratified to be able to present many of our industry’s most knowledgeable experts, who will give their insights on today’s most pressing issues and address attendees’ individual questions and concerns,” he continues.

“The 2014 lineup for these half-hour programs features speakers from the Postal Service, as well as marketing, sales, and operations specialists who will be able to offer informed guidance on a wide range of topics with an emphasis on actions attendees can take right now to solve today’s real-world problems,” says Garner. “We believe the Solutions Theater program and its ‘Ask the Expert’ station will add even greater value to this year’s information-packed Postal Forum.”

Sessions and speakers currently scheduled to appear in the 2014 Solutions Theater include:

Monday, March 17:

• Introduction to the Mail Design Professional (MDP) Course with Lisa Roth, NCED Training Supervisor, USPS, Oklahoma City, Okla.
• How the “RIBBS” Website Can Make You More Successful with Jim Wilson, Manager, Address Management, and Angela Lawson, Manager, Address Technology, USPS, Memphis, Tenn.
• How Your Engagement in the Postal Customer Councils (PCC) Can Benefit You with Wanda Senne, Vice President, Postal Affairs, World Marketing, Inc., Atlanta, Ga., and Dale Kennedy, Manager, Industry Engagement and Outreach, USPS, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, March 18:

• Introduction to the Business Service Network with John Budzynski, Consumer Advocate & Manager, Customer Relations, USPS, Washington, D.C., and Thomas Hughes, Manager, Business Customer Support & Service, USPS, Washington, D.C.
• Introduction to the Pricing and Classification Service Center with Charles Tricano, Manager, Pricing and Classification Service Center, USPS, New York, N.Y.
• How the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) Works with James Nemec, Vice President, Consumer and Industry Affairs, USPS, Washington, D.C., and Chris Lien, Vice President, Software Marketing, Bell + Howell, Rochester, N.Y.

Wednesday, March 19:

• Moving to a “Shape-Based” Product Offering with Jessica Lowrence, Executive Vice President, Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom), Alexandra, Va.
• 30 Variable-Data Printing Tips in 30 Minutes with Howie Fenton, Senior Consultant, NAPL, East Rutherford, N.J.
• Introduction to the Business Customer Gateway with Randy Workman, Business Mailers Support Analyst, Mail Entry and Payment Technology, USPS, Washington, D.C.
• “Why Aren’t You Selling More? Four Questions to Ask” with Bill Farquharson, Vice President, NAPL, East Rutherford, N.J.
• The Secrets of Engaging Mail Design with Trish Witkowski, President, Foldfactory.com, Baltimore, Md.
• Growing Small Business Through Direct Mail with Donna Thabet, Advertising Specialist, USPS, Washington, D.C.

Postal Forum attendees are also invited to visit the AMSP/NAPL/NAQP booth (#1111) to meet with staff, discuss current issues, and learn about the latest information, services, and discount programs now available to association members.

Built on the theme of “Stronger Together,” the 2014 National Postal Forum includes more than 130 workshops in 19 categories across four mailing industry-focused tracks: Marketing; Preparation and Support; Professional Development and Operational Management; and Specialized, covering issues such as printing and postal partnerships. More than 100 industry leading exhibitors will also be on hand to show and explain their latest offerings, and attendees have the opportunity to earn USPS Training Certificates.

Full registration for the four-day NPF event, including evening receptions, continental breakfasts, and lunches is $950 for those registering by Feb. 28 ($995 after Feb. 28). One-, two-, and three-day packages, as well as education only, spouse/guest, and exhibit hall only registrations are also available. For more information on the National Postal Forum or to register for the event, go to www.npf.org.

For more information on the Solutions Theater or the association’s NPF booth, contact Jennifer Root at (703) 836-9200, Ext. 207, or [email protected].