Although 2013 is
still young, one of this year’s most remarkable stories has been the sudden
birth of the U.S.-based National Print Owners Association, Inc. (NPOA). When the status quo failed to meet the
needs of 19 small-business entrepreneurs, they launched their own self-support
initiative—and in the process have ended up helping a lot of other printers as
well.
Their resulting dialogues have also
helped to clarify what many printers need, want, and expect from a trade association these
days.
To date, by my reckoning, NPOA's achievements include 261 association members in five countries, a growing roster of membership benefits, a very active LinkedIn discussion group with 374 participants, and a sold-out April conference in New Orleans.
To date, by my reckoning, NPOA's achievements include 261 association members in five countries, a growing roster of membership benefits, a very active LinkedIn discussion group with 374 participants, and a sold-out April conference in New Orleans.
Recently three of
NPOA’s officers, President Jace Prejean (left), Treasurer John Henry (top right), and Conference
Co-Chair / LinkedIn moderator Scott Cappel (bottom right), weighed in with me in detail on
these recent developments. My report of our discussions is available at: https://www.box.com/s/1q8sm8r949s6m26zv67b
For further
information:
CPIA faces
uncertain future after CPISC closure
On 22 March 2013,
the Canadian Printing Industries Sector Council (CPISC) in Ottawa closed down,
after the Canadian federal government terminated its core funding (along with
funding for all Sector Councils.)
CPISC’s Website will be operational until the end of June 2013. The HR resources CPISC developed will be
transferred to and maintained by the Canadian Printing Industries Association
(CPIA, also based in Ottawa.)
In 2012, CPISC
had announced plans to form a new national association, called Printing
Industries of Canada (PIC), by amalgamating with CPIA. However, a statement
issued this month by Sandy Stephens, chair of CPIA’s board, said the demise of
CPISC has rendered the future of PIA uncertain.
CPIA’s related
scholarship trust, (the Canadian Printing
Industries Scholarship Trust Fund, CPISTF, that provides
scholarships to students in post-secondary graphic communications programs in
Canada) has always been a separate legal entity from both CPISC and
CPIA. Accordingly, CPISTF Chair
Don Gain has confirmed that CPISTF will remain viable for those students
already supported and to new students for the upcoming 2013/14 school year.
