Understanding your customers’ needs is critical for any business, and the printing ink industry is no exception. The printing industry is changing, and printers are looking for innovations that can help them gain business.

With that in mind, the National Association of Printing In Manufacturers (NAPIM) has put together its 2013 annual convention, which will be centered on the theme of “Innovating to Meet the Needs of Today’s Customers.” The convention will be held April 6-9 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, FL.

“The intent is to talk about what’s going on in the markets,” said Brad Bergey, NAPIM’s executive director.

The speakers for the upcoming convention include:

• Dr. Joe Webb, director of WhatTheyThink’s Economics and Research Center.
• Terry Campion, executive director of research and insights, Conde Nast.
• Alex DeBarr, CEO at Naylor Publications.
• Glenn Ventrell – global package goods leader with experience at PepsiCo, Sara Lee and Wrigley.
• A speaker from MeadWestvaco, who will discuss the company’s “Packaging Matters” survey.
• Jan Paul van der Velde, senior vice president procurement for Flint Group, will provide the annual update and forecast on Industry raw materials, including titanium dioxide, nitrocellulose, acrylic acid, vegetable and petroleum oil products and pigments.
• Catherine Nielson of Keller & Heckman, who will analyze trends and direction on government involvement and its impact on the ink manufacturer.
• Jeff Wettersten, who will discuss “Packaging: Evaluation of Vertical Markets & Key Applications.”
• Brian Ashe, Pantone Digital Business Unit, X-Rite, Inc., who will offer his thoughts on using the Cloud for data exchange, enabling brand owners to specify digital color standards, manage digital rights and facilitate where color is communicated.

It is a strong lineup of speakers who can bring their own perspective to attendees.

“Dr. Joe Webb will be discussing macroeconomics in the commercial and packaging markets,” Mr. Bergey said. “We have two people on the commercial panel. Terry Campion of Conde Nast will talk about what they are doing to grow, and Alex DeBarr, the CEO of Naylor Publishing, will focus will be on trade associations, and where growth will be coming from in the association business.”

“We will also have a packaging panel that will include consultant Glenn Ventrell, who will talk about graphics on packaging and their importance to brand owners, as well as a speaker from Mead Westvaco, who will discuss how packaging matters to consumers,” Mr. Bergey added.

“Conde Nast is looking at different ways to improve the position of printing,” and Mead Westvaco will talk about what consumers look for in packaging,” George Fuchs, director of regulatory and technology for NAPIM, added.

For more information, check out the web at www.napim.org or email NAPIM at [email protected].