IPMA Conference Draws More Than 100 to Rochester
Despite economy-related cutbacks, more than 100 in-plant managers flocked to Rochester, N.Y., last week to attend the 50th In-plant Printing and Mailing Association conference. It featured not only educational sessions and a two-day vendor fair, but visits to the nearby facilities  of both Xerox and Kodak.

New IPG Video Reveals Best of Show Winner
The identity of the In-Print Best of Show winner was a big surprise to everyone at the IPMA conference last week. Attendees got to watch a video showing the judges selecting the winner. The victory was an upset for the winning in-plant, which beat out several past Best of Show winners to claim the prize.

A Class Act
It was a moment that brought tears to many eyes and a standing ovation from the entire crowd at last week's IPMA conference.

Each year, the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association holds a 50/50 raffle, with the proceeds going to its Brahney scholarship fund. This year, after the sudden death of long-time member Lora Geionety, the group decided to donate the money to Ms. Geionety's children. This move spurred active ticket sales that surpassed the goal.

OU, WSU Honored for Excellence at IPMA Conference
Two university in-plants were honored for their accomplishments last week at the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association conference in Rochester, NY. Washington State University received IPMA's Management Award, and the University of Oklahoma earned Mail Center of the Year and In-House Promotional Excellence awards.

GPO Lauded for Creativity
The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has been honored with two Hermes Creative Awards from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. GPO’s 2008 Annual Report won a Platinum Award, the highest honor in the annual report category. A team is tasked with reporting GPO’s financial statements and creating a theme around an agency initiative for the annual report. For 2008, the team highlighted ways employees are practicing sustainable environmental stewardship in written and video formats.

Exhibitors Provide PRINT 09 Sneak Peek
Roughly 50 trade journalists, consultants and analysts converged on Chicago's Sheraton Hotel & Towers Tuesday and Wednesday for PRINT 09 Media Days, a preshow glimpse of the technologies that will be on exhibit at PRINT 09. The Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), which manages the event, was among 14 exhibitors that provided presentations in advance of PRINT 09, which kicks off Sept. 11 at McCormick Place and runs through Sept. 16.

Fraser Papers Files for Bankruptcy
Specialty packaging and printing paper producer Fraser Papers has sought out bankruptcy protection in the United States and Canada. Fraser and its subsidiaries have initiated a court-supervised restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada and will be seek similar relief under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Fraser will continue its routine business operations.

Generally speaking, Chapter 15 helps sort out bankruptcy cases that involve parties (debtors, assets, claimants, etc.) from more than one country. Fraser is based in Toronto.