FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2004

SGIA Adds New Membership Benefits; Simplifies Dues Structure

FAIRFAX, VA—More membership benefits, a simpler dues structure, streamlined renewal process, and money-back guarantee are among the changes announced by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association.

Annual dues, for instance, will now include membership in both SGIA and the Digital Printing & Imaging Association (DPI) for those who either join or renew.

“As digital printing becomes even more ubiquitous, it makes sense to combine our membership benefits,” says Sondra Fry Benoudiz, the Association’s Vice President for Membership and Marketing. “Members considering — or moving into — digital printing will find invaluable resources to help and guide them.”

And, because many companies maintain dual memberships in both organizations, SGIA’s new membership structure will save them money immediately.

Direct Access to Digital
New and renewing Corporate members of SGIA now can designate a Digital Contact, who will become part of DPI’s elite online community —with access to all member-only areas and Association events.

DPI strengthens and empowers its members by providing a wealth of information about digital markets, trends, productions and people. The Association’s web site — DPIA.org — is updated daily with the resources digital printers and imagers need to manage a company, maximize quality, and make more informed decisions. DPI offers in-depth and unbiased information on the current and future state of the digital industry.

“Under our new structure, all corporate DPI members will be SGIA members as well,” Benoudiz explains. “They’ll have access to marketing information outside their current industry focus and be able to observe the entire graphic imaging industry and focus on the unique strategies involved in each segment.”

Among the new membership benefits to which they’ll be entitled are access to all members-only web pages on SGIA.org, subscriptions to all SGIA-member publications (including the quarterly SGIA Journal and monthly SGIA News), and the ability to enroll in all SGIA-member discount programs—including discounts at the Association’s annual Convention & Exposition.

Going Global
A new membership category — Global Membership — has been added for companies with offices in more than one country. SGIA’s Global Membership allows such companies to designate up to ten additional contacts, regardless of their location, at no additional cost … a huge savings for members who previously paid multiple dues to cover all of their locations worldwide.

Keeping It Simple
SGIA also has simplified its dues structure, reducing its thirteen separate categories to just six. Annual dues now range from $149 for an individual USA printer to $800 for corporate printers or suppliers in the USA with gross sales over $1 million.

Dues are generally lower for members outside the USA, and educational institutions where specialty graphic imaging is taught can join for only $25 per year.

Money-Back Guarantee
These changes go hand-in-hand with the important benefits SGIA members already enjoy: the toll-free ASSIST help desk, subscriptions to the SGIA Journal and SGIA News, business management information and software, topical workshops and training opportunities, regulatory updates, special members-only online areas and events at SGIA.org, as well as discounts to the Association’s annual Convention & Exposition.

And SGIA memberships now come with a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

“After taking advantage of a full year of member services, if you cannot point to a single way that SGIA has helped your business succeed,” says Benoudiz, “we’ll refund the cost of your annual membership investment.”

Current SGIA members can save considerable time by renewing their memberships online at www.sgia.org/member_renew/index.cfm. The secure connection is fast and safe. Follow the simple directions and SGIA will mail an official Confirmation Report within two business days.

New members can join securely online at www.sgia.org/sgia_mem_form.cfm. More information and details about the Association’s myriad membership benefits is posted online at SGIA.org.

Questions about SGIA’s new membership structure? Contact Sondra Fry Benoudiz at Association headquarters.

SGIA- Specialty Graphic Imaging Association
Fairfax, VA
Phone: 888.385.3588
E-Mail: sgia@sgia.org
Website URL: www.sgia.org