ACUP 2016: A Southwest Success

Ninety-two managers from 73 schools attended ACUP 2016 in Albuquerque.

After a successful 50th anniversary conference last year in Virginia, the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP) moved its tent clear across the country to Albuquerque, N.M., for its 51st meeting in April. Despite having fewer in-plants within driving distance of the conference than last year, 92 managers from 73 institutions made the trip, including 36 first-time attendees, three of them from school district in-plants. Managers came from as far away as Australia, the U.K., Canada and Alaska.

The three-day conference was packed with educational sessions and included a busy vendor showroom, where 29 companies displayed their products.

Foreground, from left: Mario Maselli (University of Hartford), Wes Grigg (Elon University) and John Heine (Yale University) listen intently during one of the sessions.

One of the main areas of emphasis at the sessions was the need to add value and align with the university’s goals. The educational program also focused on technologies and services that are helping in-plants expand, such as wide-format printing, Web-to-print, envelope printing and copier fleet management.

At the business meeting on the last day, ACUP President Lisa Hoover, from Bucknell University, turned over the reigns to new President Richard Tussey, from Eastern Kentucky University. John Wesseling, from the University of Cincinnati stepped into the vice president’s role, Bob Donahue, of Franklin University, became the new treasurer, and Kim Stanford, from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, accepted the position of secretary.

Doug Fenske (Minnesota State University, Mankato) talks with new ACUP President Richard Tussey (Eastern Kentucky University) in between sessions.

A Taste of Albuquerque

The first two speakers of ACUP 2016 both gave presentations filled with images from the Albuquerque area.

Opening keynote speaker Keri Stewart, an Albuquerque native, used local landmarks to illustrate her points as she discussed leadership characteristics like communicating and being able to motivate staff. People can look at the same situation and see it differently, she stressed, so show your staff the big picture so they understand the direction in which you’re leading them.

IPG Editor Bob Neubauer managed to blend Albuquerque history and in-plant trends into a single presentation, filled with photos from his numerous visits to New Mexico (each of which contained some hidden information). He used the results from recent in-plant research to show how university in-plants compare with the rest of the industry in various areas.

IPG Editor Bob Neubauer

For example, variable data printing, online ordering, copier fleet management and selling promotional items are all services provided by significantly more higher-ed in-plants than by the general in-plant industry. Overall, 65.3% of in-plants offer wide-format printing, he said, but among college and university in-plants, a staggering 85% produce it.

Items printed by a higher percentage of college and university in-plants than those in the rest of the industry, he pointed out, include envelopes, direct mail pieces, calendars, magazines and window clings. Based on their popularity, he said, these may be good products for other in-plants to pursue.

Sex Sells

Ken Macro

A highlight for many was an entertaining keynote called “Graphic Communication is Sexier than Printing” by Ken Macro, chair of the graphic communication program at Cal Poly. He covered national trends in higher-ed, such as falling admission rates, and tried to impart to managers, in a humorous vein, how they can appear more “sexy” to their institutions.

For example, by aligning yourself strategically within the organization you will be seen as a valuable, exciting contributor. Approach departments like art, marketing, journalism, industrial engineering and others and suggest ways they can partner with the in-plant. Orchestrate internships for marketing students during which they can spearhead a rebranding initiative for the in-plant. Offer tours to art students so they can see how their projects are reproduced. Get more involved with other departments, he advised.

“The days of the silos are gone,” he said. (To learn more and find out what in-plants can do to be considered “sexy” read this blog by RSA's Elisha Kasinskas.)

Enhancing your in-plant’s services will make you “sexier” too, he said. What new and exciting services can you add? 3D printing? Wall wraps? You need to excite the people at your school, he said.

Alexander Podmaniczky (Marist College) and Tammy Elliott (University of the South) talk about the ins and outs of digital envelope presses during their session.

Bucknell’s Hoover gave similar advice when she led a session on how to increase the perceived value of the in-plant. Her in-plant looks for new ways it can be of service.

• Instead of just printing posters, her mail couriers will hang them for customers, saving them the hassle and endearing them to the in-plant.
• Her operation recently started producing digital publications for customers.
• At her coaxing, the admissions department handed over the arduous task of printing and mailing admission letters to the in-plant.

“We’re not just waiting for someone to bring us a project,” she said. Her staff talks to departments to find out what they need help with.

Managers from Arizona, Minnesota and Iowa sit together at one of the sessions.

Promote Your In-plant

Cathy Skoglund, of Arizona State University, also encouraged managers to get out into the campus community as a way to promote the in-plant. In her session on self promotion, she told managers to join groups and even sports teams so your face becomes familiar around campus. Brag about your accomplishments in trade magazines and by entering awards competitions, she said. Hold open houses and lunch-and-learn sessions to educate customers. And don’t forget to utilize students in your operation, both to support the educational mission and to keep you in touch with how young people think and use technology.

She also urged managers to conduct customer surveys to learn about