TAPPI and PIMA form management agreement

The Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA) and TAPPI, the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, and converting industry, have jointly announced that TAPPI will manage PIMA, effective October 2, 2006. TAPPI replaces Association Management Center (AMC), a professional association management firm, as the provider of PIMA’s operations management.

“This is a positive step for both organizations, and I’m enthusiastic about sharing a path forward,” said Willis Potts, Chair of TAPPI’s Board of Directors (and also a former PIMA President.) “So much of what each association offers its members is complementary to the other, it just makes sense to move to a higher level of cooperation. Ultimately, I think members of both organizations—and our industry in general—will be well served by this arrangement.”

The two organizations have already been coordinating their efforts in planning the first-ever joint national conference, the 2007 PIMA/TAPPI Papermakers Conference, scheduled for March 15-18, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. “Working with TAPPI staff over the past 6 months, I’ve witnessed their intense commitment to our industry. They have an excellent understanding of our members and their needs,” said PIMA President Mike McIntosh. “Given the breadth of TAPPI’s industry experience and knowledge, I am confident they will provide excellent guidance for their management of the PIMA organization.”
An executive team led by TAPPI Senior Vice President Susan Blevins (sblevins@tappi.org) working with TAPPI President Larry Montague, will be responsible for day-to-day operations.

PIMA members are directed to contact Susan at 770-209-7249. Tammi Campbell (tcampbell@tappi.org) at 770-209-7230 will be handling membership. Kristi Ledbetter (kledbetter@tappi.org) at 770-209-7319 will be handling all programming for the 2007 PIMA/Papermakers Conference in Jacksonville, FL. PIMA members can correspond via fax at 770-209-7359. PIMA benefits and services will be administered from the TAPPI office in Norcross, Georgia. Work is underway to convert the PIMA domain names over to TAPPI. You will be able to reach the above team at the following email addresses by the beginning of next week: Susan Blevins (); Tammi Campbell ();
and Kristi Ledbetter ().

“I’ve known many in the industry who, like me, have loved being involved in both organizations,” said Potts. “To have TAPPI and PIMA come into close working relationship like this signals a spirit of cooperation—exactly the kind of energy needed to spark new ideas in meeting member needs, in educating our industry’s workforce, and in strengthening our shared future. It’s an exciting prospect!”