Carrie Griffin

With a new marketing manager in place, IPMA intends to fortify its membership while ensuring the association remains relevant. By Bob Neubauer Faced with a serious drop in membership over the past decade, the International Publishing Management Association (IPMA) has been taking a closer look at its recruitment strategy. As a result, the 41-year-old in-plant organization is redirecting its energies directly at the problem. The recent hiring of Carrie Griffin—consultant, former in-plant manager and all-around people person—as the association's interim director of marketing, marks a shift in focus directly to recruitment and chapter-building. "The values of IPMA have changed," explains John Hurt, International President.

In-plant managers gathered recently near Oklahoma City to compare notes and improve their leadership skills. by Bob Neubauer For the second year in a row, the Central Oklahoma chapter of the International Publishing Management Association (IPMA) hosted a fall regional conference for managers interested in fine-tuning their management skills and broadening their industry knowledge. The two-day event drew 25 people to Norman, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. The cold rain outside was more than offset by the warm camaraderie among attendees. Chapter President John Hurt, of Oklahoma Gas and Electric, gave a friendly welcome to the group before introducing the

With a balance of educational sessions and networking, the conference in Minneapolis was a huge success. As in-plant managers drifted into Minneapolis for IPMA 99, they gradually caught wind of a startling piece of news that seemed sure to affect the entire conference: Larry Aaron, executive director of the International Publishing Management Association, had resigned just a week before. Despite some early concerns, however, IPMA staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to bring the 40th international conference and exhibit to a successful conclusion—and one that left attendees with a positive outlook for the future of the organization. Aaron's departure—which was followed by