The relationship between suppliers and customers is a critical one in any field, and the printing ink industry is no exception. Ink manufacturers are increasingly relying on their suppliers to help promote growth and innovation, while printers are looking toward their ink suppliers to do the same.
 
It seems fitting then that the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) is focusing on the theme of “Grow, Innovate, Collaborate” during its 92nd Annual Convention, which runs from April 11-14. This year’s convention returns to the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Indian Wells, CA.

“What are the Drivers and Where are They Going,” a panel discussion by representatives of various print markets, looks particularly promising. Among the scheduled speakers are Mark Oosterlinck of CCL Labels (label and narrow web), Ken Norman of Bobst (corrugated); Bill Pope of the Flexographic Technical Association (flexo); and Michael Robertson of SGIA (screen and inkjet). More speakers will be added shortly.

In addition, Gene Slowinski, managing partner, Alliance Group Management and director, Strategic Alliance Research, will give a talk on “Implementing Open Innovation: Road Warrior or Road Kill, It’s Your Choice,” discussing the value of using strategic alliances to link resources. Mr. Slowinski will offer examples of successful and failed alliances, and provide insights into developing collaborative R&D alliances.

“Everyone has to be involved in driving innovation that brings value,” said BASF Resins’ Rick Krause, who is the chairman of this year’s convention.  “Gene Slowinski will offer a framework that will help companies decide how to go about working together with their suppliers and customers so everybody can profit in the long run. For our panel, we reached out to a wide variety of printing associations to send representatives to offer their perspective on their markets, as well as the role that ink companies can play.”

“I am concerned that there is not enough collaboration and exchange of information between suppliers and customers,” said NAPIM president Michael Gettis of Colorcon. “Suppliers help the ink industry meet the needs of their customers, and in turn, the ink industry helps their customers. Everyone benefits from the exchange of information.”

“This year’s meeting will focus on both ends of the supply chain,” said Jim Coleman, NAPIM’s executive director. “In particular, our panel discussion on print markets features representatives from many print markets, who will discuss their respective segments, their opportunities an challenges and how they use collaboration with their customers and ink suppliers.”

Among the other scheduled highlights are a Saturday, April 12 breakfast talk by radio personality Joe Conklin, who will present, “A Man of A Thousand Voices,” followed by the 2008 State of the Industry Report, presented by William Miller of Flint Group, Alan Kalmikoff of Keim-Additec Surface USA, and Rick Tolin of Noveon. On Sunday, April 13, the annual black-tie Ault Award Dinner honoring ink leaders for their years of service will be held.

On Monday, April 14, the convention will host the Technical Associate Member Breakfast, and will close with the Suppliers Party, “Dinner at the Derby,” that evening.

In addition to these events, the NAPIM Convention will also feature the annual golf and tennis tournaments and a variety of special programs, including trips to El Paseo Shopping and Lunch, College of the Desert Street Fair and Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Lunch.

For more information or to register for the convention, call NAPIM at (732) 855-1525; e-mail at [email protected]; or through the web at www.napim.org.

Grow, Innovate, Collaborate
92nd Annual Convention
The Hyatt Grand Champions Resort
April 11-14, 2008

TENTATIVE PROGRAM
Friday, April 11th
• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Registration
• 8:00 a.m. – noon – NAPIM Board of Directors’ Meeting
• 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – President’s Reception and Dinner
 
Saturday, April 12th
• 8:30– 9:45 a.m. Opening Breakfast – “A Man of A Thousand Voices” – Joe Conklin
• 10:00 – 11:30 p.m. – Kitchen Gadgets – Jan Boydstun
• 10:00 – noon – Annual Meeting & State of the Industry 2008 – Bill Miller, Flint Group; Alan Kalmikoff, Keim-Additec Surface USA; Rick Tolin, Lubrizol Advanced Materials
• Noon – 4:00 p.m. – El Paseo Shopping and Lunch*
• 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Mixed Doubles Tennis*

Sunday, April 13th
• 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Ladies’ Golf and Lunch*
• 8:30 a.m. – noon – “Implementing Open Innovation: Road Warrior or Road Kill, It’s Your Choice” – Gene Slowinski, Strategic Alliance Research
• 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – College of the Desert Street Fair
• 12:30  – 5:00 p.m. – Golf Tournament*
• 7:00 p.m. – Midnight Ault Award Reception and Banquet (Black Tie)

Monday, April 14th
• 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. – Technical Associate Member Breakfast
• 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Print Markets – “What are the Drivers and Where are They Going” – Panel discussion by representatives of various print markets
• Noon – 5:00 p.m. – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Lunch*
• 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. – Suppliers’ Party – “Dinner at the Derby”

Tuesday, April 15th
• 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Habitat for Humanity Project
*Not included in registration fee