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In fall 2024, I attended the Manitoba Print Industry Association’s (MPIA’s) Name in Print award ceremony that recognizes provincial members of the print community who have made significant contributions to the industry. The event also demonstrated what a successful regional print association can look like at its best.

MPIA is a regional association affiliated with the Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA). There are regional affiliates in all provinces as well as an equipment dealers’ association. It is beneficial to participate in industry associations. According to a 2024 report on the state of the print industry by Printing United, respondents affiliated to regional associations reported 46 per cent higher EBITDA than the 2023 S&P Small Cap average for firms in the commercial printing industry.

MPIA is a vibrant organization, led by president Ted Gortemaker and administered by association manager Lee-Anne Carter.

They are a young team with an active board that enjoys support from several industry veterans. Volunteers donate time and skills for website development and design, finance and organizing events. They engage with their network, government contacts, other associations and suppliers who can help the association provide value to members.

MPIA’s website is an interactive hub for members and can be used to sign up for events and training sessions and pay invoices. It is also hosts recordings of training webinars. MPIA has an active job board that industry employers and jobseekers can use. Many of the features on the website reduce administrative tasks, making better use of volunteer and administrator’s time. Additionally, the association actively uses social media and email blasts to engage members and interested industry professionals.

Members are united in the goal of helping address issues facing the industry, such as the need to recruit youngsters. The association sponsors education and training programs like press operator certificate courses and software courses on Illustrator, InDesign, Excel as well as staff recruitment and retention strategies.

Manitoba Print Industry Association hosts networking events regularly.

Members include large, medium and small print firms from across Manitoba. Many actively benefit from using the training programs for their staff. Training programs are often cross sector, meaning that other industry associations also participate in them. Training is provided free or for a modest fee. Non-members can also participate albeit at higher rates.

Even MPIA’s networking sessions include a segment on helping members grow and prosper. For example, brainstorm sessions exploring strategies for industry growth, uncovering opportunities to innovate and thrive, and sharing insights on how MPIA can better support businesses. This year, MPIA plans to expand some of the corporate partnership programs that offer valuable products or services at discounts to members.

One area that MPIA has excelled at is active engagement with government agencies at provincial and federal levels. At one-point, provincial representatives sat on the association’s board. This level of engagement has succeeded in arranging an investment of over $1 million for graphic arts training programs at Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) within the past 10 years.

While Manitoba is one of the smaller provinces in Canada, there are many successful print companies serving local, national and international clients. MPIA is a model for other trade organizations and reinforces the theory that well thought out programs encouraging active participation helps associations grow and industries prosper.

Bob Dale is co-founder of Connecting for Results. He can be reached at b.dale@cfrincorporated.com.

This article originally appeared in the Jan./Feb. 2025  issue of PrintAction.