IAPHC: The Graphic Professionals’ Resource Network

IAPHC INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN’S JANUARY MESSAGE

Bill Orr

CELEBRATE IPW® AND
PLAN TO JOIN US IN ATLANTA

Since the start of a new year is always a good time to reflect and make plans for the future, I’d like to focus on two key IAPHC events: International Printing Week® and the International Mid-Year Meeting in Atlanta.

For sixty years now, the IAPHC has been celebrating International Printing Week® (IPW®). This year it will be the week of January 11–17, 2004, which coincides with Ben Franklin’s birthday on the 17th. This will be the fifth year that the NAPL (National Association for Printing Leadership) is joining the IAPHC in promoting IPW®. International Secretary/Treasurer and IPW Chair John Leininger has crafted the following theme for this year’s celebration:

“Print: Affecting... Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.”

I encourage you to check out his article on our website http://www.iaphc.org/events/ipw/. He has many insightful tidbits about how printing affects everyone’s life. Since, according to our association’s mission statement, we are dedicated to “...the enhancement of the printing and graphic arts industry in society,” we all need to actively promote our careers within the community.

I am personally looking forward to attending as many Printing Week® celebrations as I can. It is always a good time when I can meet up with Craftsmen and their guests. I will give you a full report of my travels next month.

Dr. John has been busy in other ways, too, as he is the coordinator extraordinaire for the 2004 Mid-Year Meeting. John is a natural advocate of camaraderie so this weekend will be much more than just a Board Meeting. Plan on arriving in Atlanta, GA on Thursday night February 5th because the activities start early on Friday.

The Clemson hospitality starts with students picking us up at the airport. Talk about service! Friday morning we will tour Heidelberg USA and listen to an update on our evolving industry. Lunch will be a Southern Barbecue. In the afternoon we will have time for focus group discussions on the key topics that concern the IAPHC. The fun continues Friday night with a trip to Dave and Buster’s for entertainment and dinner. Saturday is the Board meeting.

Registration is easy – just go to the website http://www.iaphc.org/events/midyear/. The measly $150 fee includes five meals, lots of fun, and even some knowledge. Let’s see if we can get representation from 75% or more of the clubs in the association. The more people we have from different areas of the country and different backgrounds, the more valuable input we will have on how to run the IAPHC.

Don’t forget to sign up for the trip of a lifetime: our cruise to Alaska, August 22-29, 2004. I want to see 100% club participation for that convention! The ship is filling up fast so make sure your name is on the passenger list. Check out the price and registration details at www.cruiseshipcenters.com/iaphc.

Yours in Craftsman–Ship,
Captain Bill Orr
International Chairman