ACUP Sets Goals for Growth

In preparation for its conference next month, where it will celebrate 50 years since its founding, the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP) convened its board of directors in January to develop the group’s first strategic plan. Since its re-organization in 2010, the board has worked to strengthen and grow the organization. Three main areas of focus emerged from the two-day workshop, held in Clearwater Beach, FL:

• Increase membership engagement to create a meaningful learning structure.
• Enhance governance and structure to provide leadership that supports members’ needs.
• Expand resource development to assure growth of the organization and its members.

The 2015 strategic plan will be presented to membership at the annual ACUP business meeting on the third full day of the conference, which is taking place April 12-16 in Portsmouth, VA. In addition to three days of educational sessions and a two-day vendor exhibition, the conference will include several networking events:

• A luncheon will be held at the 1945 Art Deco styled Commodore Theatre, with a historical narrative provided by Portsmouth founder Colonel Crawford (reenacted, of course).
• A Roaring ’20s-themed dinner will be hosted at a prohibition-style eatery.
• An opportunity to talk shop with other attendees will take place Wednesday afternoon on a replica of a 19th-century paddle wheeler as it traverses the area’s waterways.
• A gala dinner and awards ceremony—during which winners of the ACUP Awards will be revealed—will wrap up the event.

Those awards were selected recently by a seven-member panel of industry experts. A total of 87 entries were submitted. The Production Awards had 71 entries in a variety of categories. A winner and honorable mention were chosen in each category, and a Best of Show winner was selected. The Impression Awards had 16 entries in the categories of Collaborative Service, Green Service, Accelerated Service, Distinctive Service, ACUP Achiever and ACUP Hall of Fame.
Find out more about the ACUP conference here: www.acup-edu.org