The SGIA (Specialty Graphic Imaging Association), NAPCO Media and the Printing Industries of America (PIA) and their affiliates have joined forces to launch a helpful and comprehensive resource channel dedicated to providing the printing and graphic communications industry with up-to-the-minute news and resources on COVID-19, and how to navigate the latest information about the pandemic. The COVID-19 Resource Channel is now live at https://www.piworld.com/extension/covid-19/. With content being updated daily, the entire industry can easily access guidelines and best practices as recommended by leading U.S. government agencies (such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Small Business Administration and Department of Labor), as it pertains to the printing industry and relevant operations and procedures, said the organizations.
“We are at a critical time in the industry right now,” said Ford Bowers, President and CEO of SGIA. “It became apparent that our community is desperately searching for answers and the latest information on COVID-19 and how it’s affecting business operations. As legislation and new mandates are changing daily – sometimes even more frequently – we worked quickly to assemble experts from across platforms to engage swiftly to track and monitor these updates, so that we could provide the resources, together, in one easily accessed location. We thank the teams at NAPCO Media, PIA and the PIA affiliates for working around the clock to aid the industry at this unprecedented time, to unite as one to serve the industry and provide guidance to the best of our ability right now. Be sure to bookmark the COVID-19 Resources Channel, as these updates will continue to roll in now, through to the time when we are ready to “relaunch” back into regular business operations once this pandemic subsides.”
Content on the COVID-19 Resources Channel will be provided daily by industry leaders in subject areas, as follows:
- State and Local Legislative Updates: Marci Kinter, Vice President, Government Affairs, SGIA
- National Legislative Updates: Lisbeth Lyons, Vice President, Government & External Affairs, PIA
- Safety Updates: Gary Jones, Director, Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs, SGIA
- Economic Impact on the Printing Industry: Andy Paparozzi, Chief Economist, SGIA
- Human Resource Updates and Guidance: Adriane Harrison, Vice President of Human Relations, PIA
“NAPCO Media is proud to be a part of this collaboration and serve as the platform for this very important industry site,” said Dave Leskusky, President of NAPCO Media. “Our collective channels at NAPCO reach a large number of printers and industry professionals already, so this further plugs our audiences in to help and guidance when it’s needed most.” SGIA, PIA and PIA affiliates have been actively working on the industry’s behalf to call for swift legislative action to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic on the printing and graphic communications industry – including the call to action to support print as an essential business. Other initiatives include, but are not limited to, advocating for a federal emergency program to provide compensation for COVID-19-related employee leave, and equipping members with resources to implore leaders in Washington to emphasize the critical need for a government response to address the potential consequences that COVID-19 poses to public health, the nation’s economy and its workforce.
“We are living in unprecedented times where print and mailing services have never been more critical to the nation and its economy,” said Michael Makin, President and CEO of Printing Industries of America. “PIA and its affiliates are proud to pool their extensive resources with SGIA and NAPCO Media to establish the definitive source of information and guidance to the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working together, we will get through this and emerge as a strong, united industry which will continue to serve as a vital communications hub for America.”
