PRINTING United Alliance Celebrates The Academy’s 50th Anniversary

The celebration spans the induction of the newest Academy members and recipients of the annual Joe Clarke Innovator Award and Swormstedt Award with a reception to take place during PRINTING United Expo

Fairfax, Virginia — PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, celebrates 50 years of its Academy of Screen and Digital Print Technologies (ASDPT), also known as “The Academy.” The Academy will celebrate this special milestone during PRINTING United Expo in Atlanta as it additionally welcomes its newest members. Also being celebrated are recipients of the Joe Clarke Innovator Award and David Swormstedt, Jr. Award. For more information about The Academy, visit: https://www.printing.org/communities/interest-groups/the-academy.

A Milestone Celebration  
In 1973, Alliance Board of Directors (SGIA, at the time), adopted a resolution creating The Academy, an honor society whose purpose was to promote and encourage the development of new technical papers relating to screen printing and making those papers available to the global industry. Since then, The Academy has expanded its membership to incorporate digital print technologies. Academy members author articles, speak at events, and train throughout the industry.

Induction of Newest Members and Awards Ceremony at PRINTING United Expo
At PRINTING United Expo, The Academy will induct three new members: Travis Barcelona, Nazdar; Edward Cook, Jr., Founder/CEO of ECI Screen Print, Inc. (now ECI Technologies), retired; and Julie Ferrigno, e2ip Technologies.

Joe Clarke Innovator Award
Also being honored during the Expo is Mike Vasilantone, Vastex International (retired), who is this year’s recipient of the Joe Clarke Innovator Award. The award recognizes those who honor the spirit of Clarke’s desire to improve the industry with the selfless example that he demonstrated. Recipients of this award are professionals who encompass the same selfless attitude in their contributions who have helped improve the industry in a variety of ways.

Swormstedt Award
The David Swormstedt, Jr. Award, commonly referred to as the “Swormstedt Award,” recognizes those who encompass particularly strong, effective technical writing capabilities. The Swormstedt Award process begins with articles submitted in seven categories, with one selected as the best from each category. This year, The Academy proudly recognizes award recipient Bruce Ridge, Nazdar.  

“Hearty congratulations to The Academy for celebrating 50 years of exemplary service,” says Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance. “Extended congratulations also to those recipients of the longstanding Joe Clarke Innovator Award and Swormstedt Award. Esteemed professionals such as those being recognized help carry on tradition and the advancement of the industry.”

Join the Alliance
If you would like to learn more about becoming an Alliance member and become involved with prestigious groups such as The Academy, visit www.printing.org/membership, or call 888-385-3588 to speak with our membership team for more information.

About PRINTING United Alliance 
PRINTING United Alliance is the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, comprised of the industry’s vast communities. The Alliance serves industry professionals across market segments with preeminent education and training via iLEARNING+, workshops, events, research, government and legislative representation, safety, and environmental sustainability guidance, as well as resources from our leading media brands – Printing Impressions, Packaging Impressions, Wide-format Impressions, In-plant Impressions, Apparelist, and Print+Promo Marketing. Now a division of PRINTING United Alliance, Idealliance is a global leader in standards training and certification for printing and graphic arts operations across the entire industry supply chain.

PRINTING United Alliance also produces the PRINTING United Expo, the most influential days in printing. The expansive display of technology and supplies, education, programming, and services are showcased to the industry at large, and represents all market segments in one easily accessed place.