PRESS RELEASE: Grand River Hosts Earth Day Event
By Graphic Arts Online Staff -- Graphic Arts Online, April 3, 2008
Grand River Printing & Imaging of Belleville, Michigan will hold an Earth Day 2008
educational panel discussion on the topic of “Print & Sustainability” on Tuesday, April
22, 2008 at the Detroit Zoo. There will be a morning panel discussion from 9:00am to
11:00am and an evening panel discussion from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The event will take
place in the Detroit Zoo’s Ford Educational Center.
Environmental sustainability is now an important strategic issue for corporations,
governments and organizations all over the world. Grand River’s event is directed to
business, marketing, advertising or publishing professionals who need to have up to date
information about the opportunities available for participation in the latest sustainability
and “green” initiatives.
First established in 1970 to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the
natural environment, Earth Day is the perfect occasion to learn about ways to minimize
the environmental impact of paper-based print media. Today, with growing worldwide
concern about climate change and the responsible use of natural resources — such as
forests, water and energy sources — Earth Day takes on renewed significance.
It is a scientific reality that wood and fiber harvesting, pulp and paper manufacturing and
the production and distribution of paper-based printed materials all have a significant
environmental impact. Important initiatives are now underway that enables companies
and individuals to become aware of and involved in environmental preservation and
mitigation of the causes of global climate change.
Each of the April 22 panel sessions will feature speakers who represent different aspects
of the print media life cycle: wood pulp and paper manufacturing, paper distribution, ink
manufacturing, printing, publishing and paper recycling. The speakers’ presentations will be
followed by questions and discussion from the audience. The Earth Day 2008 panelists are:
• Joe O’Connor, Senior Vice President, Mohawk Fine Papers
• Andrew Matthews, Technical Director, Publication Division, Flint Group
• Louis Pezet, Lead Auditor, Chain of Custody, Scientific Certification Systems
• Mary Stasiak, Manager of Community Relations, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
• Liesa McDonald, Sales Manager, Royal Oak Recycling
The panel will be moderated by Kevin R. Donley, Vice President of Sales & Marketing,
Grand River Printing & Imaging
The benefits of attending the Earth Day 2008 educational event are:
• Become informed about environmental sustainability and the paper, printing, advertising
and publishing industries.
• Discover what is involved in making a commitment to sustainability.
• Evaluate the different certification programs that are currently available for print media
purchasers and end users.
• Find ways to add value to your company’s solutions by offering print products that are
environmentally appropriate and “green.”
Those involved in advertising, publishing or corporate communications and purchase or
are involved in the production and distribution of print media, should attend this event.
There will be a breakfast buffet served at 8:00am prior to the morning panel session and a
dinner buffet with a cash bar served at 5:30pm prior to the evening session. Attendees will
have the opportunity to enjoy the 107 spectacular wildlife images on display in the Shell
Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in the Ford Educational Center gallery. Parking
is available from the Detroit Zoo entrance near the westbound I-696 service drive.
There is no cost for those who wish to attend. Registration is available online at
http://www.regonline/earthday2008 or by calling 734-394-3621. Registration will be
open until April 15 as there are limited seats available.
The Grand River Printing & Imaging Earth Day 2008 educational is being sponsored and
supported by the following companies:
• AbitibiBowater • Mohawk Fine Papers
• Ann Arbor Transportation Authority • NewPage Corporation
• Fifth Third Bank • Royal Oak Recycling
• Flint Group • Scientific Certification Systems
• FujiFilm Graphic Systems • Woodland Paper, Inc.
• Millcraft Paper Company • xPedx
Grand River Printing & Imaging, located in Belleville, Michigan, has been in business for
thirty years and at the forefront of sustainability practices in the graphic arts and printing
industries. We are the first company in the state of Michigan to be certified as an FSC Chain
of Custody printer. We are also committed to bringing information about sustainable print
media to the graphic arts and business community. Grand River Printing & Imaging has 100
employees and approximately $30 million in annual sales. Serving corporations, educational
institutions, advertising agencies and publishers Grand River produces a wide variety
of printed products including annual reports and catalogs, magazines and newspapers,
advertising inserts and direct mail items. Grand River has been recognized three times by
Crain’s Detroit Business/IRI as a top workplace in southeastern Michigan and has been
selected twice as one of the top ten best employers in the area. www.grpinc.com
