Monday, September 22
1:45-2:30 p.m. M201
Save Money on Your Printing Bill Without Anyone (but your CFO) Noticing
Speaker: Keith Hammerbeck, Corporate Director, Media Operations, Advanstar Communications
There are simple ways to trim costs from your printing bill without sacrificing production quality. From analyzing paper changes, to looking for distribution efficiencies and eliminating paper proofs, there are myriad ways to shave costs if you know where to look. In this session we'll dissect the typical printing bill and examine the costs and how you can take steps to reduce them.
2:45-3:30 p.m. M202
Handling Print Problems (and Preventing them from Happening in the First Place)
Speaker: Biagio Lubrano, Quality Control Manager, Condé Nast
The production window is tighter than ever and the velocity of activity around issue-closes continues to increase. At the same time, everyone involved is trying to save money, which can leave quality in danger. There’s also little margin for error, and you’re the one responsible when mishaps occur. In this session, Condé Nast's quality control manager will teach you how to head off problems in your workflow by learning what to look for, leveraging technology and getting the most out of your printer.
3:45-4:30 p.m. M203
Going Green: Options for Sustainable Printing
Speaker: Claudia Smukler, Publishing Consultant
If you don't yet have a plan for outlining your "green" initiatives, you'd better get one fast. Advertisers and readers will increasingly judge you for what you're doing (or not doing) to reduce your impact on the environment. There is plenty you can do, and using recycled paper is just one area. In this session, you'll learn about the areas where you can affect change, the impact on your margins, and how best to create a green plan before you're asked for one.
Tuesday, September 23
9:45-10:45 a.m. T211
From Hard to Soft to No Proofs
Speaker: Shawn Lowe, Director, Manufacturing, Niche Media
As virtual proofing continues to gain traction, some publishers are considering the elimination of proofs altogether, putting their trust into ad portals. In this session you'll learn the potential benefits and drawbacks of eliminating proofs, as well as tips for launching an effective ad portal for your company.
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. T212
Open Forum: Collective Wisdom on Production Efficiency
Speakers: Bob Kanell, Director, Production, Sports Illustrated
Kenneth Pecca, Director, Pre-Media Imaging, Hearst Magazines
Dedra Smith, President, Printmark West
Claudia Smukler, Publishing Consultant
In this panel discussion, production pros at companies large and small address their top concerns and how they're dealing with them, including virtual proofing, workflow issues, technology challenges, and adding value within the organization. Listen in as your peers discuss their challenges and solutions, and join the conversation to get your top questions answered.
2:45-3:30 p.m. T213
Automating Production Workflows from Your Desktop to Press
Speaker: Shawn Lowe, Director, Manufacturing, Niche Media
As production costs rise, publishers are looking for new ways to streamline the process. Automated workflows are one of the most promising areas, but implementing one takes investment in time and technology -- neither of which you can afford to waste. In this session, you'll learn tips and best practices from Science magazine's director of preflight operations, who transitioned his association's publishing operations from an analog workflow with hand-drawn mockups to an all-digital PDF/X-1A workflow, resulting in cost savings upwards of $300,000 per year. He'll also talk about his development of a roundtrip XML workflow, which he expects will cut production time in half.
4:45-5:30 p.m. T214
Archiving and Digital Asset Management
Speaker: Bob Kanell, Director, Production, Sports Illustrated Group
When Sports Illustrated opened up its Vault this past year it was a big boon for the brand, but behind the scenes it took a lot of hard work and management. In this session, an SI expert will teach you all about the tools and processes necessary for text digitization, rights management, search optimization, file formatting and organization and more. You'll also learn how to evaluate and work with outside vendors and monitor the process and quality.
Wednesday, September 24
9:15-10:00 a.m. W221
Keeping the Trains on the Track
Speaker: Dedra Smith, President, Printmark West
Working with editors and publishers on production deadlines can be like herding cats. In this session you'll learn how to establish a strong working relationship with your internal customers to help them achieve success while also ensuring you meet your production deadlines. We'll cover the key elements of the successful production-publishing relationship, including how to build timelines and schedules, and how to get everyone to adhere to them.
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. W222
Upping Your Production SQ (Success Quotient)
Speaker: Fran Fox, Senior Director, Manufacturing and Production, Dwell
Successful production managers contribute beyond their job descriptions. In this session you'll learn the 5 essential steps you can take to increase your value and contribution to your company, enhance and measure the impact you make on your organization, and become a tangible contributor to business success.
12:30-1:15 p.m. W223
Become Your Company's Co-Mailing Expert
Speaker: Steve Johnston, Director, Manufacturing, Summit Business Media
There may be significant cost-savings waiting for you if you pursue a co-mailing strategy for your magazine(s). But there are many variables you need to be aware of in order to determine whether co-mailing is the right strategy for you. In this session, you'll learn what questions to ask your printer, what regulations and practices will impact your ability to co-mail your magazine(s), the pros and cons of co-mailing, and what internal practices and procedures you may need to implement to truly take advantage of the savings.
