IPMA Honors Jan Portwood’s Legacy, Announces Marketing Partnership with Joanne Gore Communications

The In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) today announced the retirement of long-serving team member Jan Portwood, effective December 31, 2025, and a new marketing partnership with Joanne Gore Communications (JGC) that will deepen support and resources for IPMA members across North America.

Jan Portwood

Jan joined IPMA in February 2018, bringing a strong technology background and a passion for solving complex problems. She initially stepped in to help stabilize and improve IPMA’s website and database environment, which had been designed in a way that made updates difficult and dependent on an outside consultant. Over the years, Jan transformed IPMA’s digital backbone into a content-first, member-focused platform. She streamlined back-end systems, supported staff and members with day-to-day technology needs, and became the go-to resource for keeping IPMA’s online presence running smoothly.

“I am retiring at the end of this year so I can take on new adventures, go exploring, and spend more time with my family,” said Jan Portwood. “My time at IPMA has been the best in my career. This organization is much more than a workplace. It is a family, and I am grateful to have been part of it and to have gotten to know so many of our members.”

As Jan prepares for retirement, IPMA is engaging Joanne Gore Communications to provide expanded marketing leadership, execution, and member-facing programs that build on the strong foundation she helped create. The partnership is designed to help IPMA grow membership, amplify the value of in-plant operations, and increase the visibility of in-plant success stories within the broader print community.

“Jan has been a quiet force behind the scenes for years, keeping our systems running and making sure our members could stay connected,” said John Cruser, president of IPMA and global manager of Bloomberg Ink Print Services at Bloomberg LP. “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and the stability she brought to our organization. As she begins her next chapter, we are excited to welcome Joanne Gore Communications as a partner who will help us carry Jan’s legacy forward and create even more value for our members.”

Under the new partnership, JGC will support IPMA’s marketing and member outreach efforts with a focus on strategy, content, and campaign execution tailored to the in-plant community.

Joanne Gore

Deep in-plant and print industry expertise is at the core of the partnership. Joanne Gore, president and chief strategist of Joanne Gore Communications, is an award-winning B2B marketer on a mission to help the print industry sell more print. She has worked with leading software providers and OEMs that serve the in-plant segment of the industry, as well as manufacturers and service providers across the broader print ecosystem. Joanne is a board member of the Customer Experience Management Professionals Association (cXmpa) and serves as Regional Director for GirlsWhoPrint Canada. Her experience developing messaging playbooks, lead generation programs, and social selling strategies for organizations of all sizes gives her a deep understanding of the pressures facing in-plant leaders today.

Having JGC’s seasoned team of strategists, writers, and in-plant practitioners working together behind the scenes, means that IPMA can plan and produce consistent communications, campaigns, and member programs without overextending internal staff. Leadership can stay focused on strategy and growth, while a dedicated JGC team runs the day-to-day marketing engine.

IPMA members and partners will have access to a free 30-minute marketing consultation with JGC, as well as discounts on JGC services, including support for content development, digital campaigns, and trade show and event marketing. This gives in-plant leaders a low-risk way to explore new marketing ideas, campaigns, and programs that support their internal customers and stakeholders and maximize the impact of their presence at industry events.

“IPMA members sit at the heart of mission-critical communication, yet they are often under-resourced and under-recognized,” said Joanne Gore. “We are honored to support IPMA and help in-plant leaders tell their stories, grow their influence inside their organizations, and ultimately sell more print and mail services internally.”

As IPMA celebrates Jan’s many contributions and prepares for the next phase of growth, the association and JGC are aligned on a shared goal: to strengthen the in-plant community through education, advocacy, and practical marketing support.

For more information about IPMA membership, programs, and upcoming initiatives, visit www.ipma.org.

About IPMA

Founded in 1964, IPMA is the only professional association dedicated exclusively to meet the needs of all segments’ in-house printers and mailers. The nearly-700 members of IPMA are managers and directors from in-plant printing and mailing facilities throughout the United States. IPMA is headquartered in Kearney, Missouri. For more information, visit www.ipma.org, and follow IPMA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Joanne Gore Communications

Joanne Gore Communications Inc. (JGC) is a full-service B2B marketing agency that helps software, hardware, manufacturing, and print companies stretch their marketing dollars and find the fastest path to revenue. JGC works with clients to clarify who they help, how they help, and why it matters so they can build awareness, drive engagement, and generate growth in today’s changing print and communications landscape. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, JGC serves clients across Canada, the United States, and Europe.