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