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Dear IPMA Members,

Another year is coming to a close. At IPMA, we have much to celebrate as we look back on the events and accomplishments of 2017. We are celebrating 53 years of supporting in-plants and advocating for the in-plant business model. A lot has changed in the world of print and mail since IPMA’s inception, but the value that in-plants bring to their parent institutions still remains the same. We knew then and we know now, in-plants contribute positively to the overall business success of the organizations they serve. In addition to cost savings, they provide:

• Total focus on the business needs of their parent institutions
• Intimate knowledge of the needs of their internal clients
• Confidentiality
• Cost Control
• Consistency of content and graphic identity

As the only in-plant association providing for all industry segments, we proudly serve our community by offering a variety of events and programs throughout the year to promote networking, education, professional development and business growth. This year alone we hosted 16 events; creating opportunities to connect with vendors and with each other. These events included webinars, road shows, and appearances at PRINT17, SGIA, SUPDMC, DScoop, PIA and the IPG Innovation conference.

Then, there was our very own conference in June. IPMA 2017 was one of those conferences our members will be talking about for a long time to come.  Our gathering in Pittsburgh brought together 160 members, 52 vendors, an arts festival, two rock concerts, and a championship hockey parade.

We all face a variety of challenges in our work environment these days. By growing a stronger network we can gain insights on addressing these challenges. Together our network is stronger. As advocates for in-plants through a unified voice we can all grow together.

Since I assumed office of the president of IPMA in January, I have been happy to see this community grow and flourish. IPMA’s accomplishments during these last 12 months were made possible by many individuals—members, volunteers, supporting partners, our friends at In-Plant Graphics, the board of directors and a dedicated staff. The growth in our community reflects the growth of IPMA. Five years ago our membership consisted of approximately 400 members. Today, there are nearly 700 members.

Of course IPMA’s many accomplishments would not be possible without our most important asset: YOU. Our association thrives because of your activity in our community and your attendance at our events. It is the experiences, the stories, the contributions, and the skills of our members that make IPMA prosperous.

As we plan for the future, IPMA is excited for the many opportunities that await us in 2018. We are looking forward to the In-Print Awards contest in January,  In-Plant Awareness month in February, IPMA Awards in March IPMA Road Shows in Norman, OK and Charlottesville, VA and the IPMA 2018 Educational Conference in Costa Mesa, California in June.  We will remain committed to providing a value to the in-plants we serve while pursuing growth and investment in our community. If you are interested in learning more about opportunities for involvement, please contact IPMA Headquarters at 816-919-1691 or by emailing ipmainfo@ipma.org.

We hope this year was one of advancement and growth for you. It’s been a privilege to form new relationships in the community, and deepen existing connections with in-plants throughout the year.  We would like to wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year!