IPMA Road Show at World Bank Draws More Than 65

By Bob Neubauer

Last week, the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) held its first Road Show event of the year at The World Bank Printing & Multimedia operation, just outside of Washington, D.C. The event drew more than 65 people from 10 in-plants including GEICO, the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Bloomberg, Marriot International, the Arlington Department of Environmental Services, Virginia Farm Bureau, Prince William County Government, U.S. Senate, Morgan State University, and Arlington County Government.

The event’s first two sessions focused on health and wellness, with Kimberly Duetsch, an assistant professor in Messiah University’s Master of Occupational Therapy Program, reprising the enthusiastic presentation she gave at Messiah’s Road Show last November. She offered strategies to prevent professional burnout, noting that younger employees are more likely to experience high levels of stress due to factors like lack of feedback and limited resources.

Kimberly Duetsch, of Messiah University, offered strategies to prevent professional burnout.

Then Canon and Ricoh gave presentations on how to keep in-plants healthy and running smoothly. These were followed by some impromptu attendee discussions that ranged across multiple aspects of shop growth and new product opportunities. Ricoh’s Debbie Pavletich talked about untapped markets and print program initiatives based on her experience as an in-plant manager. IPMA President Elect John Cruser from Bloomberg, L.P. chimed in with several key points and examples from his operation as well.

The last session of the day highlighted the need for in-plant managers to be champions of eco-health by being knowledge centers on sustainability for their organizations. Since this is an area often overlooked by in-plants, Aaron Ling from Sustana Paper provided background sustainability knowledge, an overview of the eco-friendly paper supplies market, and resources for future learning and development to attendees. Cruser and Wes Troup from World Bank also jumped in with some quick “lessons learned” points on sustainability for managers to use as they develop programs for their shops and organizations.

Attendees also had time to visit the booths set up by 16 exhibitors and talk with them about the solutions they provide.

This was just the first Road Show of the year planned by IPMA. Next up is Intermountain Health’s Road Show, taking place at its new Salt Lake City facility on May 16. Then University of Oklahoma’s in-plant will hold a Road Show in Norman, Oklahoma, May 23, the day before the university celebrates the retirement of Director John Sarantakos, after 26 years of service to OU.