Greetings to all who value the Gravure Process from Lou DeFlaviis, Chair of the GAA Board of Directors. Like so many other businesses, The Gravure Association of the Americas has seen a reduction in revenue from the cancellation of in-person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to maintain operations and continue to serve our members at a high professional level, the Association is currently being managed by the Executive Committee and a group of volunteers and we have reduced overhead as much as possible to stretch budgets until better days return.
The near-term impact has affected the following events and services:
On-site Training/On-site Consulting:
Obviously, we have been unable to make site visits during the current health crisis. We look forward to resuming these in-person services next year.
We are delivering mentored training, featuring our technical experts in a virtual format. We are also phasing in in-person consulting with companies who are allowing non-employees (consultants) on-site and in compliance with any state and local policies and guidelines. All options are available for first-time certification, advancement, or re-certification with updated information for 2021 and beyond.
We will offer three levels of Certification training:
- Level 1 Entry Level Certification (suitable for assistants and especially new hires)
- Level 2 Operator Certification (suitable for experienced press operators)
- Level 3 Application Specialist Certification (suitable for non-pressroom personnel and sales)
Special Member Pricing has been established for the Certifications:
Level 1
$1000.00 offered to members at $500.00
Level 2
$1,500.00 offered to members at $1000.00
Level 3
$2000.00 offered to members at $1,500.00
The three levels of certification will also be available in the on-line, self-paced version targeted to be available starting September 14th.
Please email us at info@gaa.org and include “Certification Training” in the subject line.
Golden Cylinder Awards:
The 2020 judging had to be cancelled because of concern for the well-being of the judges, who believe to maintain the integrity of the Award, we must be able to physically judge the entries together. Therefore, there will be no Golden Cylinder Awards in 2020; we look forward to a banner event in 2021. Those that submitted entries have been contacted personally by the Board members.
Technical Forum:
The Valley Forge event at the end of September, unfortunately, had to be cancelled.
Basic & Advanced Gravure Seminars:
Also previously slated for September, we have had to postpone the ever-popular Basic & Advanced Seminars to Interprint in Pittsfield. We cannot proceed as planned and will work toward developing a virtual alternative and in person seminars for 2021.
Cylinder Society:
We would like to maintain this tradition for 2020 and invite nominations. Please send your request to info@gaa.org and put in the subject line “Cylinder Society” and the Nominee Application Form will be sent to you.
Gravure Education Endowment:
The mission to support and nurture the next generation of Gravure professionals will continue unabated as the Technical Writing Competition will continue in 2021.
We are happy to announce Grants were awarded to:
- UW-Stout – $5500
- Murray State – $3400
- Western Michigan- $3000.
The following scholarships were awarded:
- Alcoa – Kaitlin Thomas, California State Polytechnic, Pomona
- Cerutti – Seth Boles, Wichita State University
- Quadracci – Allison Killinger, Clemson University
- Thiele – Hannah Peterson, University of Wisconsin-Stout
- General – Becker Griffin, Pittsburg State University
Membership:
We want to welcome the following new members:
- DipWorldWide.
- OhioPack
Job Posting:
We have noticed an increase in traffic for our job posting service, to view jobs, or post a vacancy, please go to: https://gaa.org/jobs/
Thank you to all our members for your support during this crisis. Earlier this summer, we issued a “Supporter Appeal” for assistance, asking for Sponsorship in the following categories:
Platinum Level @ $5,000.00:
Pledges/Donations received:
Gold Level @ $2,500.00:
Pledges/Donations received:
Silver Level @ $1,000.00:
Pledges/Donations received:
Ron Deegan
Lou DeFlaviis
Caring Member @ $500.00:
Pledges/Donations received:
We are very thankful for those who have pledged. However, although we are getting close, we have not reached our goal of $60,000. It is still possible if you would like to help keep our Association moving forward.
Please send Sponsorship donation checks made to: Gravure Association of the Americas and mail to the attention of:
Gravure Association of the Americas Inc.
8281 Pine lake Road
Denver, NC 28037
If you want to contribute by credit card or other means email: ppimlott@gaa.org
Again, we want to thank everyone for their support. We will be reaching out asking for volunteers to help with Membership, Newsletters or other content creation, for speakers for Gravure Day, the Planning Committee for our 2021 Summit and more. Anyone wanting to volunteer, please contact Tony Donato: tdonato@gaa.org. Remember the GAA is a member driven and run organization, there is no GAA without your participation.
Comments and questions are welcome please email them to info@gaa.org
The GAA Board of Directors and I wish that all keep safe and healthy.