Printing Industries of America today attended a White House event to announce major progress on a series of initiatives launched last year to combat "patent trolls" and abusive patent litigation. Michael Makin, President and CEO of Printing Industries of America, accepted the invitation extended to the association by National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. Makin was represented at the event by Lisbeth A. Lyons, Printing Industries of America's Vice President of Government Affairs.

Senior administration officials offered updates on the status of the patent reform agenda. Patent Trademark Office Deputy Director Michelle Lee was among the speakers at today's event.

RPI, a leading producer of private-label personalized photo books has achieved certification by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP). In addition to books, the SGP certified facility in Seattle, WA manufactures make-on-demand personalized greeting cards and stationery products for mass and specialty retailers.

National Gift Card Corp. (NGC), announced today the company has launched its first proprietary application programming interface (API) to provide customers with electronic gift cards in real time.

The new gift card API allows B2B program buyers and clients in the loyalty, rewards, incentive, benefit, and membership industries to quickly integrate with NGC's gift card catalog and send ngceCodes in real time to program participants.

The first drupa Global Trends report provides analysis of the printing and media sector worldwide.

drupa will publish two report series entitled "drupa Global Trends" and "drupa Global Insights," that will study for the first time the trends and major changes in the international print and media sector at both global and regional levels.

Sustainable Green Printing Partnership announces the addition of PolyOne Wilflex, Avon Lake, Ohio, USA, as their newest SGP Patron. "We are excited that PolyOne has chosen to share their expertise within our community.

• National pavilions from Austria & Spain already confirmed!
• Benefit from the early booking discount

Robert Graham is pleased to announce the publication of the brand's first direct-to-consumer catalog. Developed and conceptualized by Connecticut-based agency, The World's Smallest Ad Agency, in close partnership with Robert Graham's in-house marketing & creative team, the catalog showcases the spring 2014 lifestyle collection reflecting a Capri-lifestyle backdrop.

The engaging 44-page glossy color catalog shot by fashion photographer Sergio Kurhajec features the full breadth of the Robert Graham collection from knitwear, sport shirts, denim, swim, outerwear, and accessories with a laser focus on the rich details that are intrinsic to the brand.

Groupe Marie Claire has placed a two-year contract with Polestar for the production of three French magazines:

• La Revue du Vin de France
• Votre Beauté
• Mariages.

Graphics of the Americas Expo & Conference (GOA) is pleased to announce participants in its inaugural Game Changers showcase, which highlights essential, future-oriented exhibitor technologies. GOA Game Changers will be identified at the main show entrance, as well as at each participating exhibitor's booth for the duration of GOA, taking place February 27-March 1, 2014 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida.

GOA Game Changers

How to Integrate Print into Your Customers' Campaigns with Marketing Automation

Presented by MindFireInc.

Date: Tuesday, February 18

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CST

Marketing campaigns that effectively integrate print with online channels are in high demand. We will show you how you can use marketing automation technology to generate high-profit recurring print revenue by making direct mail an integral part of your customers' marketing campaign workflow.

Comment by Trevor Crawford, Event Director of Ipex 2014

The world is changing, and the key to survival is to change with it. The printing industry is no exception to this, having undergone seismic change over the past decade or so, which continues to present challenges to printers. From the research we have undertaken and the discussions I've had with industry representatives, the issues facing almost every printer, large or small, are generally the same around the world. These are well documented; declining volumes, overcapacity, commoditisation, pricing pressures, finance, as well as the ongoing competition and integration from the internet and other competitive communications channels.

S.W. Anderson Gains Immediate Manpower and Printing/Mailing Savings Plus Happier Customers; Billtrust-Assisted Transition to Online Billing and Payment Promises Even Greater Efficiencies

For nearly 60 years, S.W. Anderson has been a fixture on Long Island. From its headquarters in Farmingdale, New York, the wholesale HVAC (Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning) distributor supplies commercial and residential building contractors not only with equipment and supplies, but also valuable expertise and technical information.