As members of the print and graphic arts industry, we’ve become experts at evolution. Re-inventors. We take high-quality original products and morph them to meet today’s ever-changing standards.

The NEW BIA (formerly Binding Industries of America) is another example of reinvention. It reflects the changing needs of its postpress members, from cashing in on the hot packaging market to providing solutions for end clients.

“The needs of the industry have changed,” said Chris Eckhart, President of Eckhart & Co. and member of the NEW BIA Board of Directors. “The fresh look of the NEW BIA reflects the refocus of the organization’s efforts to provide members with unparalleled networking opportunities, the latest information on technologies changing the industry, and educational resources to support and grow your business. The NEW BIA is providing postpress companies with the tools they need to evolve with the industry,”

You may have seen the updated NEW BIA logo, but what benefits does the NEW BIA offer members? And how do these benefits directly impact postpress companies? We talked with Mike Packard about what members can expect.

Can you give us more details on the transition to the NEW BIA and your new value proposition?

Mike: Our special interest group has been going strong since 1955 because of our dedication to supporting our members. A lot of change has taken place in just the past few years with regard to technology, and we recognize that these changes have significant impacts on our finishing professionals and industry suppliers. We realized that we needed to grow with our members in order to truly meet their needs and provide solutions. The NEW BIA focuses on the finest networking, education, and our members’ ever-expanding opportunities, broadening our range of benefits to meet our members’ expanding needs.

What additional benefits does the NEW BIA offer members going into 2015?

Mike: We realize our members value learning and networking to help them grow their business. For one of the latest benefits, we are working with the Integrated Learning Center to develop market-specific online courses for finishing industry professionals. Members can also access Economic and Technology reports as well as get a free copy of the Ratios report when they participate in the survey*.  Peer Groups are major benefits for professionals today, and BIA members now have access to several groups, including Virtual Peer Groups.

You’ve looked closely at what benefits your members value most. What are some of the original benefits you still offer as the NEW BIA?

Mike: Our members have relied on us for more than 60 years to give them the tools to grow successfully, so when we expanded our offerings, we made sure that we retained our core benefits. The first on that list is the BIA Annual Conference, for which members receive the maximum discount on their registration. For 2015 the conference [May 17-20, 2015, Minneapolis, MN] is co-located with the 2015 Print Leadership Summit. So attendees will be rubbing elbows, so to say, with Presidents, CEOs, and top-level executives of printing companies. They can really get in front of decision makers and have a conversation about how they can help their business.

We also offer the BIA Members-only Listserv, listings on FindABindery.com, the Product of Excellence Awards, the e-newsletter Bound for Excellence, and more.

How will the NEW BIA help members’ companies succeed?

Mike: We showcase the cutting-edge trends in finishing equipment and technology that members can learn how to apply to their operation. They can use what they learn to expand their offerings and product lines and branch into hot growing markets, such as packaging. As a result, they can increase on-time order delivery and meet customer demands. All around, they can become more competitive in their market. We’re not going to miss a beat at this year’s BIA Conference where we’ll feature some of these exciting new technologies and markets. This is really one of the biggest events of the year for the finishing industry because it prepares them to face the challenges ahead and keep making a profit and staying competitive.

So where do we sign up?

Mike: Any finishing professionals or industry suppliers interested in joining the NEW BIA can visit our website [www.printing.org/bia]. Companies now have the option to join the BIA directly, but when you become a member through a Printing Industries of America Affiliate Organization first, you definitely get the greatest ROI for your membership—discounts on a wider range of products and services, group discounts through the National Buying Program, digital access to Printing Industries of America: The Magazine, and much more.

Registration is also open for the 2015 BIA Conference, so I encourage industry members to come learn and network with us in May!

For more information on BIA membership benefits, or to join The NEW BIA, contact Virginia Kohar at vkohar@printing.org.

*Beginning January 2015, your company can participate in the 2015 Ratios for Trade Binders, Loose Leaf Manufacturers, and Finishers survey. Participants receive a FREE copy of the report. To buy the latest report for your market, the cost is $129 for members and $499 for non-members. As you can see, the cost of membership almost pays for itself with one report!

Click the image below to download the NEW BIA Membership Brochure