NPES, Printing Industries of America, and Industry Association Allies Join Forces to Advocate for Printers and Suppliers at May Event

Reston, VA - Members of NPES, Printing Industries of America, and key supporting associations will convene in Washington, D.C., May 6-7, 2014, for PRINT'S VOICE '14 where they will bring graphic communications industry business concerns directly to their elected representatives and other congressional leaders. During this fourth annual PRINT'S VOICE Capitol Hill Fly-In participants will advocate for restructuring and revitalizing the U.S. Postal System, curtailing abusive "patent troll" practices, reducing burdensome government over-regulation, preserving pro-growth business tax policy, and strengthening U.S. exporters' competitiveness in international trade. New for this year's event, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) and the Association of Independent Mailing Equipment Dealers (AIMED) have joined the Fly-in as supporting associations.

"PRINT'S VOICE '14 is a valuable opportunity to reach out to our congressional representatives on issues of concern to the printing industry," says NPES Government Affairs Chairman Ron Rose, President, Nova Pressroom Products, Inc.  We urge NPES, Printing Industries of America, NAPIM and AIMED members to join us as we speak directly to our elected officials and hear from political and policy experts on issues vital to our businesses and our employees' livelihoods," continues Printing Industries of America Government Affairs Chair Brad Thompson, President, Inland Press.

"With crucial issues, such as postal reform, that are of huge importance to our members and their customers, it's imperative for our industry to weigh in with the information legislators need to make informed decisions," states NPES President Ralph Nappi.  "These face-to-face discussions with their constituents are the most effective way of getting the message across to lawmakers" adds Printing Industries of America President Michael Makin.

The agenda for PRINT'S VOICE '14 includes a Tuesday welcome luncheon and afternoon issue briefings by invited Members of Congress and Washington, D.C.-based policy experts.

The day continues with a bi-partisan Congressional Reception in the Rayburn House Office Building, with emerging printing technologies and applications on display. Featured speakers will include Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-8-IL) and Congressman Reid Ribble (R-8-WI). Duckworth represents over 20 NPES member companies, more than any other U.S. Representative, and numerous printers. Ribble, together with Rep. Michael Michaud (D-2-ME), co-chairs the new Congressional Paper Caucus. Other members of the new Paper Caucus are also invited special guests, along with general invitations out for all members of the 113th Congress. A Congressional Dinner wraps-up the first day of the Fly-in, with Senate Minority Whip, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) as the invited speaker for the evening.

The program will resume Wednesday morning on the "Senate side" of Capitol Hill with a breakfast featuring Senate Speakers, followed by congressional office visits and a luncheon. Invited speakers for day two of the Fly-in include: U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). PRINT'S VOICE '14 participants will spend Wednesday afternoon conducting more visits to various congressional offices, with the Fly-in concluding at 5:00 p.m.

To register for PRINT'S VOICE '14 Capitol Hill Fly-In, visit:www.npes.org/printsvoice14. For more information contact NPES Director of Government Affairs Mark J. Nuzzaco at phone: 703/264-7235 or e-mail: [email protected], or Printing Industries of America Vice President of Government Affairs Lisbeth Lyons at phone: 202/730-7975 or e-mail: [email protected].