Registration Now Open for Print & Packaging Legislative Summit 2018

For Immediate Release
April 5, 2018

Reston, VA – Registration is now open for the Print & Packaging Legislative Summit 2018, coming June 19–20 to Washington, D.C. The Legislative Summit will bring printers, packaging converters, technology and consumable suppliers and allied interests together for public policy and political education, as well as direct interaction with members of Congress and the Administration to discuss hot-button policy issues.

The co-hosts of the Legislative Summit are AICC, the Independent Packaging Association; the Association for Print Technologies (APTechSM), formerly NPES; the Fibre Box Association (FBA); Printing Industries of America (PIA); Idealliance; and Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA).

Additionally, lending their support are Legislative Summit sponsors: Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (TLMI), Packsize, FalcoSult, Book Manufacturers Institute (BMI), National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) and Resolute Forest Products. Representing a $1.4 trillion share of the US economy, the thriving printing, packaging and mailing industry employs 7.5 million workers. At the same time, it is challenged by a transformed market where digital electronic communication competes directly with traditional paper-based mail and advertising, a shortage of qualified workers and laws and regulations that stifle business growth. Industry executives will engage in a one-of-a-kind legislative experience, networking with peers and colleagues from across the nation and culminating in face-to-face meetings designed to advocate for action on critical issues that impact the industry that include:

• Boosting long-run US GDP, by making 100% expensing permanent
•  Keeping rising postage rates in check, by enacting postal reform legislation that would financially stabilize the US Postal Service
•  Preserving access to important paper-based information and services for Americans who prefer them or depend on them, by endorsing the efforts of the Coalition for Paper Options
•  Bringing printing, imaging and mailing industry employers together with qualified workers, by supporting community-based educational programs that prepare job-seekers with the skills needed to be successful in modern graphic communications careers
• Working to facilitate the possibility of association health plans (AHPs)
• Expanding global markets and helping US manufacturers compete more effectively for the 95% of the world market outside of the United States, by supporting fair trade agreements and opposing economically harmful tariffs
• Further reducing government regulatory costs; 
• Curtailing “patent troll” abuses while also protecting intellectual property rights; and,
• Protecting data privacy, both domestically and in international commerce

To educate policymakers and favorably influence members of Congress to act, advocates must present compelling information about the importance of this key US industry that puts America to work. C-suite executives of printing, packaging, mailing and graphic communication technology companies along with executives with responsibility for environmental/health and safety, human resources, legal, postal, tax, technology and/or sales are especially encouraged to attend.

For the latest information about the Print & Packaging Legislative Summit 2018 as the program elements and speakers are announced, to register and to reserve hotel accommodations, visit: www.printpackagingsummit.com.

For more information, contact Cindy Huber, AICC, at chuber@aiccbox.org or 877.836.2422; Sherry MacDonald, APTechSM, at smacdonald@aptech.org or 703.264.7237; Rachel Kenyon, FBA, at rkenyon@fibrebox.org or 847.364.9600; Lisbeth Lyons, PIA at llyons@printing.org or 202.627.6925; David Steinhardt, Idealliance, at dsteinhardt@idealliance.org or 703.837.1066; or, Marci Kinter, SGIA, marcik@sgia.org or 703.359.1313.

About AICC
AICC, The Independent Packaging Association is a manufacturers’ association of privately held printing and converting operations in the corrugated, folding carton and rigid box packaging markets and their suppliers. For over 40 years, AICC’s mission is to grow members’ businesses through education, advocacy and peer-to-peer interactions.

About the Association for Print Technologies (APTechSM)
The Association for Print Technologies (formerly known as NPES), is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire printing value chain. We believe in making our members and their value chain partners more competitive and more aligned.  Print has been vital to communication for decades; however, the digital culture has heightened industry complexity and reframed its relevance.  APTech’sSM signature event—PRINT®— brings the boldest and brightest innovators, influencers, and new technology together to create connections and showcase our industry.  For complete information about the Association, its programs, and its member companies, visit: www.printtechnologies.org or phone: 703.264.7200.

About FBA
The Fibre Box Association (FBA) is a non-profit trade association that represents North American corrugated packaging manufacturers. The association has been working for more than 77 years to grow, protect and enhance the overall well-being of the industry by providing member-valued programs and services.

About Idealliance
Idealliance, a global thought leader in the graphic communications industry since 1896, is a non-profit industry organization with eleven (11) strategically located offices around the world. ISO recognizes Idealliance as the world’s foremost certifying body for the competencies systems, materials and facilities required to function as a state-of-the-art operation in a dynamic and highly competitive graphic communications marketplace. Idealliance serves brands; content and media creators; manufacturers; service providers in mail, marketing, print and packaging; and material suppliers and technology partners worldwide. We do this through Standards Development, support for Print and Integrated Media Workflows & Technologies, and Certification & Training. Our specifications have transformed the graphic communications industry by defining production workflows for color (GRACoL®, SWOP®, XCMYK™, G7® , BrandQ™), content management (PRISM®), mail supply (Mail.dat®, Mail.XML™), and paper (papiNet®). As a leading innovator in ISO standards and program development, we provide information, insight and training designed to drive innovation and advance the industry segments we serve by attracting new talent and increasing staff and management skill levels. Join us in creating the future of our industry. www.idealliance.org | (703) 837-1070.

About PIA
Printing Industries of America is the largest national trade association dedicated to graphic communications with more than 6,000-member companies throughout North America. PIA, along with its affiliated associations, delivers services and products that enhance the knowledge, growth and profitability of members through advocacy, research, education, and networking.

About SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is the trade association of choice for professionals in the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, electronics, packaging and commercial printing communities looking to grow their business into new market segments through the incorporation of the latest printing technologies. SGIA membership comprises these diverse segments, all of which are moving rapidly towards digital adoption. As long-time champions of digital technologies and techniques, SGIA is the community of peers you are looking for to help navigate the challenges of this process. Additionally, the SGIA Expo is the largest trade show for print technology in North America. “Whatever the medium, whatever the message, print is indispensable. Join the community — SGIA.”