Forum 2003
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To: Printing & Graphic Arts Industry Professionals
From: Greg DuRoss, President
I like the word useful as in useful information. With guidance from the Forum Planning Task Force, I believe we meet the definition of useful with this year's Forum program. I am guided by a philosophy that suggests not just giving you information, but helping you find a way to make it useful in your business. That cannot be done in one-hour presentations. Thus we have moved to more fully utilize the information and wisdom available from our presenters by developing more in depth presentations and workshops that involve you, and in the process, I hope prove more useful to you.
Understanding, Acceptance, Action - Whether one is talking about war with Iraq, changes in our industry, or events in our personal lives, these three words characterize the process one goes through to deal with a particular situation. As you will read in the enclosed program, Robert Nadeau returns this year in a full day program to help move us through this process as it relates to our changing industry. On Saturday you will have the opportunity to apply what you learned on Friday as Steve Epner gives his presentation on how to more effectively use technology.
In a group that is not very prone to providing much feedback, a number of you who attended Forum 2002 commented quite favorably on the Hyatt in St. Louis. I believe you will find that the facilities at the Adam's Mark equal those of the Hyatt - a relatively new hotel with spacious rooms. At just $20 or $30 extra, I recommend you consider upgrading to one of the suites. You don't get these prices very often. We've been able to hold the price on sleeping rooms to an affordable $139. In addition, the hotel has agreed to credit a portion of the sleeping room charge toward covering the cost of food and beverage expenses. This has allowed us to keep the registration fee at $475 - substantially below what it used to be and what you would pay to attend many other conferences.
Planning A Group Business Dinner? The Director of Sales at the Adam's Mark has graciously agreed to help with restaurant selection and arrangements for member companies that wish to plan group dinners. Among his recommendations are: Magic Moments, Dunaway's, and Malibu. For a very comprehensive list of dining options, you can visit the Forum section of the NAGASA website at www.nagasa.org/restaurant_list.pdf (PDF). As you are making your plans, do not overlook the fine facilities at the Adam's Mark which has lots of rooms suited for private dinners, and chefs more than willing to prepare a special dinner for you and your guests. For more information contact me and I will put you in touch with the right people at the Adam's Mark (email: gduross@nagasa.org, or call 202.328.8441).
The sad reality is that not all companies are going to survive the shakeout and turmoil in our industry and the channel. The smart leaders are the ones committed to trying their best, and they will be in Indianapolis March 28 - 29, 2003. How can you go wrong when I offer you this money-back guarantee:
If, after attending the full Forum program, you do not feel you have received the value of your registration fee, tell us what value you believe you did receive, and we will refund the difference.
See you in Indy!
