Message from CPPA President, Dan Tual

The 2009 60th Annual CPPA Convention, Trade Show and Print Exhibition, February 6-9, 2009 was a huge success partly due to the fact that we had such a different schedule than we have had in the past. This year, unlike other years, we began our Convention at 12:30 PM on Friday, February 6th with our Annual Print Competition. It concluded that night which gave all of the volunteers an opportunity to see the rest of the programs. I would like to acknowledge Mark Brendel, Print Committee and all of the volunteers for a job well done.

We also introduced our first speaker, Carla Ten Eyck, and CPPA member at 3:00 PM on Friday with over 90 in attendance. Her program on blogging was a big success. Who knew so many people would come at that hour during a work day.

The second great event that differed from other years is that on Saturday night we had an "All Convention" party open to all CPPA Members and full-convention attendees at no charge. Hors d'oeuvres, cheese and fruit stations, beer, wine and soda were served in the Garden area adjacent to the pool from 7-11 PM with many people there after midnight. With the attendance around 90 it was not a party that many wanted to leave early. It gave us all a chance to visit in a relaxed environment - FOR FREE!

When this different convention format was first discussed, we (the Board) did not know how, or if, it would work to everyone's satisfaction. Well, from the feedback that I and others have received, I would say "IT WORKED." Even with the economy at a very low point people still came out.

Did you see us on the 61 News at 10:00 PM on Monday, February 9, 2009? Thanks to Marietta St. Onge for using her contacts at the station to have a camera crew and interviewer come to the Crowne Plaza and interview Harvey Goldstein about about keynote speaker, David Hume Kennerly.

Dan Tual

President, CPPA

Message from PPANE President - CPPA Convention

Greetings CPPA Members!

Thank you for the hospitality on my recent visit to your 60th Convention. Coming to Connecticut as I told many of you has a sense of coming home to me being that I was born in Hartford.

The enthusiasm and energy that I felt from your board and members of the forward thinking of what your association is doing to re-adjust to the challenges of the economy was contagious. I heard many new ideas and exciting plans CPPA has. It just shows that in troubled times we pull together and go back to our roots. I know for myself like many of you know, the associations are our roots and can provide us with fertile ground to grow with the education, camaraderie, and support they provide.

As an affiliated judge I wanted to share with you how enjoyable I thought your print show was this year. Your level of creativity originality was superb! Congratluations to all who entered.

I posted up my visit to Connecticut on the PPANEprez blog. Please go the blog. Also, if you are a facebook user join PPANE group by clicking here.

Thank you again for making Brad and I feel at home and I wish all of you a very prosperous year!

Donna M. Goodhue

PPANEPrez

http://ppaneprez.blogspot.com/

ppaneprez@ppane.net