International Newspaper Groups Holds Annual Conference at GRAPH EXPO

The International Newspaper Group (ING) kicked off GRAPH EXPO this weekend with its annual conference, beginning Friday (September 9) evening with a reception, and continuing in earnest Saturday, September 10 for a full day of informative presentations. Held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the conference brings together newspaper operations executives and suppliers networking and exchanging ideas on best practices. Highlights of the conference included sessions by executives from Kodak, Transcontinental, the Chicago Tribune, among others. Kip Smythe of NPES is closing the conference this morning (in Room S105 in McCormick Place) with a look at technology on the GRAPH EXPO show floor that newspaper executives should give close attention.

ING continues to offer an innovative and high-value conference for the newspaper industry by bringing newspaper production executives and suppliers together. In response to members' feedback, the group has once again partnered with GRAPH EXPO. "It’s a natural fit to do so at the same time and place where suppliers bring the latest technology and newspaper industry leaders bring the ideas and business practices that will keep them on the leading edge for the future," says Tom Travis, an ING board member.

Highlights of the conference included:

• Times of Transition - Business Lessons

Moderator: Becky Brubaker, ING President

Chris Lyons, Eastman Kodak

Dave Bliss, Quad Graphics

• Managing Commercial Printing/Printing Outsourced & UV Printing

Moderator: Mike Bany, Transcontinental North California

James P. Burns, Media General Operations and Distributions Solutions Group

William H. May, Jr., The Dallas Morning News

Brian Thiede, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

• Managing Distribution

BIll Baker, Media General Florida Communications Group

Vince Casanova, Chicago Tribune

• Labor Relations Strategies and Challenges in Newspapers

Moderator: Rich Danze, Newark Star Ledger

Michael Rybicki, Seyfarth Shaw Law Firm

Bernie Szachara, Denver Post

• Technology Not to Miss

Kip Smythe, NPES

ING is a not-for-profit organization comprising newspaper operations executives and industry suppliers. ING’s primary purpose is to host an annual conference to exchange information and best practices and foster a better understanding of the latest technology and processes affecting newspaper and print production. For further information visit www.ING.AZCENTRAL.com.