Kennesaw GA - The Print Media Academy is a featured event within the Heidelberg exhibit at Graph Expo 2000, presenting industry experts who provide working observations and advice on a host of productivity and profitability issues. The Academy opens its doors with free seminars for three days: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday - September 24th, 25th and 26th. As it was originally conceived at Print 97, at DRUPA and at every Graph Expo ever since, the Heidelberg Print Media Academy is an academic endeavor, rather than a commercial enterprise. The emphasis is on education and the transfer of knowledge. Through the fifteen, 60-minute workshops, the Academy offers perspective and insight on some of our industry's most current and challenging issues. Heading this year's line-up of expert speakers are: * NAPL economist Andrew Papparozzi, who provides the latest on "Trends in Sales Compensation." * William J. Farquharson, president of the PrinTec Network, with a workshop on putting together "A Digital Profitability Plan." * GATF's Ray Prince, who describes "Your Top 20 Pressroom Headaches" and delivers "Quick Fixes and Long-Term Solutions." * Charlie Corr from CAP Ventures, addressing the issue "Profit from the Digital Color Marketplace." * Dr. Craig Aronoff of Kennesaw State University, covering "Predictable Challenges in the Family Business Tradition." Dr. Aronoff's remarks are expected to be particularly interesting in light of the fact that Heidelberg USA and Kennesaw State University have teamed up to create the nation's first accredited Executive MBA program focused on the graphic arts industry. Show goers can apply for the Heidelberg Print Media Academy Executive MBA program at Graph Expo. The accredited MBA initiative combines one of the nation's largest executive MBA programs with the graphic arts industry-leading expertise of Heidelberg. Together they create an academic program designed to assist executives of commercial print shops, trade binderies and service bureaus tackle the business decisions that confront them every day. "Kennesaw State University has a well established executive MBA program in place. The graphic arts program builds on that foundation and the KSU reputation," says Larry Kroll, Vice President for Training and Consulting for Heidelberg USA. Kroll also commented on the Print Media Academy's activities at Graph Expo 2000: "The Heidelberg Academy was introduced at Print 97 as a fresh and inspiring concept. That first Academy turned out to be exciting, challenging and at the same time, a fantastic learning experience. Customers and educators alike continue to praise the Print Media Academy as an industry event that they look forward to at each trade show. This achievement is due to the enthusiastic participation of the numerous industry-acknowledged experts who present the Academy's curriculum to Graph Expo attendees."