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The IRgA Pushes for Membership Growth Membership Priorities. The IRgA has completed the transition to a new, simpler membership structure where companies pay their annual dues based on the total number of employees in all locations that have the same name. I am pleased to report that 82 percent of member companies have renewed, which is slightly better than historical trends.
Renewed Enthusiasm. The IRgA's membership year begins Aug. 1 of each year and is aligned with the organization's fiscal year. We have found that several member companies have associated their membership year with the calendar year and lose five months of value each year. Membership renewal reminders for 2008–09 will be sent in June so we can get everyone renewed before the year starts. Bringing 'Em Back. The IRgA has hired Member Media, a sales and marketing company, to call former and prospective member companies and "get them back." Bill Spilman, who is also responsible for ad sales, will be responsible for vendor membership recruitment. Bill can be reached toll–free at 877/878–3260 or bill@innovativemediasolutions.com. Mary Markovich will be calling on former and prospective reprographics companies. I have known Mary for several years and she has a proven track record in helping associations increase their membership. Mary can be reached at 219/916–4821 or Renewals@IRgA.com. Both Bill and Mary are hired as independent contractors and serve as extensions of the IRgA staff. The IRgA has made several upgrades over the past four years to add value to the industry. Our message, simply, is that the IRgA is different today, and we would like every industry company — reprographers and vendors — to be a part of our growing organization. IRgA members can help by providing leads to the Headquarters office at 800/833–4742 or by contacting Bill or Mary directly. Or, you can contact any Board member of the IRgA Membership Committee:
As for our non–member readers: Expect a call. We'd love to have you as part of our successful community. As always, we welcome your feedback and you can feel free to e–mail me directly at sbova@irga.com.
IRgA Member Benefit Feature: In addition to the Annual Convention & Trade Show, the IRgA offers a variety of other educational opportunities, including the upcoming Mounting & Laminating Seminars, held in conjunction with Drytac Corporation. The popular two–day seminars are held in various locations throughout the United States and Canada and integrate theory with actual hands–on training – providing the fundamentals of mounting and laminating technology and techniques. Join us at one of these innovative seminars as IRgA members have the exclusive opportunity to save nearly $100 per person on registration. Watch your inbox in the coming weeks for additional registration information. 2008 Seminar Dates and Locations: Sept. 18–19
 ALL IN: Win Big in Vegas with the IRgA Sales–Focused Sessions Now Available
Remember, the IRgA is now offering discounted registration rates to companies who send multiple members to Las Vegas. This is a perfect opportunity to bring your sales teams to attend the above sessions – while saving money in the process. For instance, if you bring three members you save $350. The savings only increase – the more you send, the more you save. Register your teams today and leverage this unique once–a–year opportunity. Keynote Speaker Update
Robert Falese, an authority on trends in the commercial real estate and construction financing sectors, will give greater understanding on how our nation got into this situation, what is really happening in the markets and what the near and long term future holds in the commercial and industrial construction space. He will also highlight national and regional trends in today's markets. Read more about Falese. "Green Building: What it Means to the Reprographics Industry"
Shaw has helped the U.S. Green Building Council, the World Green Building Council and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, as well as several commercial finishes companies that market to the A&D community, to implement green design in their communications: in print, online and in environmental graphics and signage. IRgA Appreciates its Convention Exhibitors
Looking for added exposure at IRgA 2008? Contact Nicole Boland, IRgA exhibit and sponsorship sales coordinator, at 312/673–5828 to discuss sponsorship options for the 82nd IRgA Convention and Trade Show. Convention Online Reference Guide
IRgA Webinar Registration Now Open Increasing Operational Efficiency Webinar
Is your company looking to increase its operational efficiency? Join a panel of experienced reprographers as they discuss the three critical areas to success: customer service, employee relations and setting company goals. This Webinar is the final installment in a series of highly successful presentations on operational efficiency. Jeremy Lurey ("Improving Performance through Operations Innovation") and Chuck Freidrichs and Jim Hertle ("How to Become More Efficient") previously presented IRgA Webinars on the topic. Read more at the IRgA Web site. Three to Be Honored with Bukovsky Award The IRgA Past Presidents Council has selected three very deserving individuals to receive the Bukovsky Award, the highest industry honor bestowed on any one individual. They are: Chuck Gremillion, president, A&E – The Graphics Complex, a Division of Thomas Reprographics, Houston, Texas; Norman Krangel, director, Call Print Services, Ltd., London, England; and Peter Morin, retired owner of Rhode Island Blue Print, Bonita Springs, Fla. Click here to read a profile of the 2008 recipients, who will be honored on Wednesday, May 14, in Las Vegas, Nev., as part of the IRgA's Annual Convention & Trade Show. The Past Presidents Advisory Council includes Mike Carter, chair, Cathie Cushing Duff, Rusty James, Michael Shaw and Mike Tackett. Obituary: Michael Wayne Pittenger Michael Wayne Pittenger died in his home on Feb. 19 of a heart attack.
Pittenger was widely recognized for his leadership in the industry and was a former president of the Southeastern Reprographic Association and former board member of the International Reprographic Association. Pittenger was a native of Tennessee and spent much of his life in the south. He is survived by his daughter Christy Brewer, mother Ruby Haralson, stepfather James "Moe" Haralson, sisters Karen Pittenger and Lynn Hartsough; Yvette C. Nash, Daltina C. Harrison, Yvonne C. Noel, and Victor Callahan; grandchildren Hailey, Mason, Abby and Carson Brewer, and his inseparable companion, Shadow. Get Your Voice Heard! The IRgA is calling on members to tout the value of belonging! Tell us how your organization has benefited as a result of membership in the IRgA. E–mail your testimonial, along with membership tenure and organization name, to Jennifer Altstadt, and you just might see your company spotlighted in future IRgA marketing materials. Fourth Quarter '07 IRgA/Baird Research Study Results As a benefit of your company's membership in the the IRgA, we are pleased to share the results of the Fourth Quarter 2007 Reprographers Survey. The survey was conducted independently for the IRgA by the Research Group within Robert W. Baird Company. Click here to access the IRgA members–only page; you will need to login to have access to the report. Industry Measure Releases Wide–Format Graphics Report One of the hottest topics in the graphic arts today is wide–format graphics. For years, printing industry trade show attendees have seen no shortage of vendors printing eyecatching posters and prints. But has this translated into the implementation of wide–format output by commercial print providers—and, therefore, wide–format printer sales? And what about print buyers and wide–format? The Industry Measure released its special report, "Wide–Format Graphics: Supersizing the Market?" an update to a report last published in 2004. The report provides a look at the use and adoption of wide–format output devices and applications among companies in the graphic arts markets According to the report:
Industry Measure reports are available for online purchase at the Industry Measure eStore in PDF format. Commercial Printers to Invest
Modestly in Wide–Format Printers Wide–format output is widely produced by creative markets—among many others—and yet, as we have pointed out in this space ad nauseam, they rarely think of having their commercial print provider output those wide–format graphics. Commercial printers, on the other hand, do own and continue to buy wide–format printers, but use them primarily for proofing purposes. Although offering wide–format output services involves more than just owning or buying a printer—substrates and finishing options are a big part of success in this space—we have always felt that despite vendors' best efforts, wide–format still remains a largely untapped opportunity for printers. Excerpted from the Industry Measure Special Report, "Wide–Format Graphics: Supersizing the Market? The Industry Measure perspective on the market(s) for wide–format graphics and equipment," March 2008. Small Shops, Big Customers. No Problem. By Ed Avis Reprographics shops don't get much smaller than Avon Reprographics. How small is Avon Reprographics? It is truly a "mom–and–pop" shop — owners Jane and Jim Scales are the only employees. Watch for the complete article in the upcoming March/April issue of REPRO REPORT. For advertising information regarding News Digest and/or REPRO REPORT, please contact IRgA Headquarters: info@irga.com or 800/833–4742.
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The headlines are full of scary words that would make anyone reliant on the building industry worried. There are no doubt problems caused by the subprime mortgage crisis, but all is not doom and gloom. Nationwide fundamentals in the commercial building market are still strong. Certain regions of the country are still performing well. 
Marybeth Shaw, an architectural designer and principle of Shaw–Jelveh Design, LLC, will provide insight and real world experience on how your company can better market its green products and services to the industry. 
Pittenger, 55, was a prominent businessman in blueprint and large–format printing. He spent many years working with his father, J.H. Pittenger Jr. at Arrow Products, Inc. and founded Focus Digital during the innovative and formative years of the large–format print industry.
