PMA 2006 annual report.

Following is the 2006 PMA[R] Annual Report.

Last year we took steps to begin a branding initiative. the result is that we now have a new corporate mark that was introduced in the September issue of Photo Marketing magazine (now called PMA Magazine--Connecting the Imaging Communities) and mass distributed in the first promotion for PMA 07. Much thought was put into the development of the mark, which was the result of member, board and research input. The transition to the new look, including the new corporate mark, began in September 2006 and was competed in March 2007.

PMA's mission statement states that our goal is to "Disseminate timely information, products, and services and provide forums contributing to increased profitability, business growth and a sense of community for the global imaging and related industries." PMA member input has been invaluable in helping the Association develop new products, programs and services to meet the challenges and oppotunities that our ever-changing industry presents and fulfill the promise of our mission statements.

We appreciate the fine support we receive from our members, officers, committee members and convention attendees and look forward to continuing to fulfill our commitment to the industry. Many thanks.

Sincerely,

Ted Fox

PMA Executive Director

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT 

Board of Directors and Members

Photo Marketing Association International

Jackson, Michigan 

We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the Condensed Comparative Statement of Financial Position of Photo Marketing Association International as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related comparative statements of revenue, expenses, and net assets for the years then ended; and in our reports dated November 16, 2006 and November 16, 2005, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those comparative financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed comparative financial statements is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the comparative financial statements from which it has been derived.

Lally, Cummings, Palmer & Patch, EC.

Jackson, Michigan

November 16, 2006

Board of Directors and Members

PMA Services, Inc.

Jackson, Michigan

We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the Condensed Comparative Statement of Financial Position of PMA Services, Inc. as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related comparative statements of revenue, expenses, and net assets for the years then ended; and in our reports dated November 16, 2006 and November 16, 2005, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those comparative financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed comparative financial statements is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the comparative financial statements from which it has been derived.

Lally, Cummings, Palmer & Patch, RC.

Jackson, Michigan

November 16, 2006

CONDENSED COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

Revenue, Expenses and Net Assets--Summary of 2006 and 2005 Figures

                                Photo Marketing
                               Association Intl.
                                September 30,

                                2006           2005

Revenue                 $ 18,026,961   $ 20,638,029
Expenses                  17,690,903     20,547,616
Change Net Assets            328,058         90,413
Net Assets--Beginning     11,037,555     10,947,142
Net Assets--Ending      $ 11,365,613   $ 11,037,555

Condensed Comparative Statements of Financial Position

Current Assets:
  Cash and Short-Term
    Cash Investments    $  8,200,815   $  8,987,387
  Accounts Receivable
    --Net                    159,973        283,955
  Inventories                200,766        264,863
  Deferred Expenses
    and Advances             381,202        578,438
  Prepaid
Total Current Assets       8,942,756     10,114,643
Restricted Cash and
  Investments             10,745,267     10,429,269
Fixed Assets--Net          2,208,323      2,368,221
Other Assets
Total Assets            $ 21,896,346   $ 22,912,133

Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes
    Payable             $    542,331   $    789,555
  Deferred Income          5,550,764      6,687,776
  Accrued Expenses         4,429,638      4,397,247
Total Current
  Liabilities             10,530,733     11,874,578
Net Assets              $ 11,365,613   $ 11,037,555
Total                   $ 21,896,346   $ 22,912,133

                              PMA Services, Inc.
                                September 30,

                                2006           2005

Revenue                 $    795,244   $    882,310
Expenses                     790,867        887,839
Change Net Assets              3,252          4,471
Net Assets--Beginning        280,745        276,274
Net Assets--Ending      $    283,997   $    280,745

Condensed Comparative Statements of Financial Position

Current Assets:
  Cash and Short-Term
    Cash Investments    $    230,956   $     30,999
  Accounts Receivable
    --Net                     62,751        249,307
  Inventories                  9,726         14,179
  Deferred Expenses
    and Advances
  Prepaid                     19,208         17,021
Total Current Assets    $    322,641        311,506
Restricted Cash and
  Investments
Fixed Assets--Net
Other Assets                   5,440          4,501
Total Assets            $    328,081   $    316,007

Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes
    Payable             $      5,633   $        372
  Deferred Income              3,288          7,532
  Accrued Expenses            35,163         27,358
Total Current
  Liabilities           $     44,084         35,262
Net Assets              $    283,997   $    280,745
Total                   $    328,081   $    316,007

HIGHLIGHTS OF PREVIOUS YEARS

Summary of 2004 and 2003 Figures

                                                     Photo Marketing
                                                   Association Intl.
                                                       September 30,

                                               2004             2003

Total Revenue                         $  20,738,288    $  20,844,029
Total Expenses                           19,832,464       19,965,908
Change in Net Assets                        905,824          878,121
Total Assets                          $  24,554,069    $  23,189,039

Detailed Financial and Operating Data for 2004 and 2003

Current and Restricted Assets:
  Cash and Cash Investments           $  20,668,177    $  19,346,473
  Accounts Receivable--Net                  281,387          166,567
  Inventories                               362,006          386,921
  Deferred Expenses and Advances            718,303          627,266
  Prepaids

Total Current and Restricted Assets   $  22,029,873    $  20,527,227

Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes Payable          $     424,399    $     659,341
  Deferred Income                         8,247,487        7,622,876
  Accruals and Payroll Deduction          4,935,041        4,865,504

Total Current Liabilities             $  13,606,927    $  13,147,721
Working Capital                           8,422,946        7,379,506
Other Assets
Fixed Assets--Net                         2,524,196        2,661,812
Total Assets                          $  24,554,069    $  23,189,039
Current Liabilities                   $  13,606,927    $  13,147,721
Net Assets                            $  10,947,142    $  10,041,318
Total Liabilities and Net Assets      $  24,554,069    $  23,189,039

                                                  PMA Services, Inc.
                                                       September 30,

                                               2004             2003

Total Revenue                         $     877,579    $     937,463
Total Expenses                              885,382          933,188
Change in Net Assets                         (7,803)           4,275
Total Assets                          $     386,317    $     408,013

Detailed Financial and Operating Data for 2004 and 2003

Current and Restricted Assets:
  Cash and Cash Investments           $     231,020    $     196,927
  Accounts Receivable--Net                  102,559          163,050
  Inventories                                22,063           14,267
  Deferred Expenses and Advances
  Prepaids                                   26,396           15,101

Total Current and Restricted Assets   $     382,038    $     389,345

Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes Payable          $       1,683    $       1,099
  Deferred Income                            10,446            2,893
  Accruals and Payroll Deduction             97,914          119,944

Total Current Liabilities             $     110,043    $     123,936
Working Capital                             271,995          265,409
Other Assets                                  4,279           18,668
Fixed Assets--Net
Total Assets                          $     386,317    $     408,013
Current Liabilities                   $     110,043    $     123,936
Net Assets                            $     276,274    $     284,077
Total Liabilities and Net Assets      $     386,317    $     408,013

Summary of 2002 and 2001 Figures

                                                        Photo Marketing
                                                      Association Intl.
                                                          September 30,

                                                  2002             2001

Total Revenue                            $  19,035,265    $  22,238,084
Total                                       18,164,402       21,282,125
Change Net Assets                              870,863          955,959
Total Assets                             $  23,535,919    $   4,723,730

Detailed Financial and Operating Data for 2002 and 2001

Current Assets:
  Cash and Short-Term Cash Investments   $  19,514,210    $  19,262,346
  Accounts Receivable--Net                      74,547          212,926
  Inventories                                  411,644          398,175
  Deferred Expenses and Advances               616,309          892,906
  Prepaids
Total Current Assets                     $  20,616,710    $  20,766,353
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes Payable             $     592,192    $     634,811
  Deferred Income                            8,548,476        8,170,247
  Accruals and Payroll Deduction             5,232,054        6,633,086
Total Current Liabilities                $  14,372,722    $  15,438,144
Working Capital                              6,243,988        5,328,209
Other Assets                                   176,674          161,313
Fixed Assets--Net                            2,742,535        2,802,812
Total Assets                             $  23,535,919    $  23,730,478
Current Liabilities                      $  14,372,722    $  15,438,144
Net Assets                                   9,163,197        8,292,334
Total Liabilities and Net Assets         $  23,535,919    $  23,730,478

                                                     PMA Services, Inc.
                                                          September 30,

                                                  2002             2001

Total Revenue                            $   1,267,951    $   1,698,316
Total                                        1,263,648        1,693,487
Change Net Assets                                4,303            4,829
Total Assets                             $     419,372    $     466,841

Detailed Financial and Operating Data for 2002 and 2001

Current Assets:
  Cash and Short-Term Cash Investments   $      72,079    $      71,757
  Accounts Receivable--Net                     286,916          337,686
  Inventories                                   18,049           11,911
  Deferred Expenses and Advances
  Prepaids                                      24,309           26,609
Total Current Assets                     $     401,353    $     447,963
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes Payable             $       8,374    $      68,205
  Deferred Income                               18,678            2,597
  Accruals and Payroll Deduction               112,518          120,540
Total Current Liabilities                $     139,570    $     191,342
Working Capital                                261,783          256,621
Other Assets                                                     18,878
Fixed Assets--Net
Total Assets                             $     419,372    $     466,841
Current Liabilities                      $     139,570    $     191,342
Net Assets                                     279,802          275,499
Total Liabilities and Net Assets         $     419,372    $     466,841

                                            Photo Marketing Association
                                                 Group Insurance Trusts
                                                              April 30,

                                                  2002             2001

Total Revenue                                                   $10,176
Total                                                             4,635
Change Net Assets                                                 5,541
Total Assets

Detailed Financial and Operating Data for 2002 and 2001

Current Assets:
  Cash and Short-Term Cash Investments
  Accounts Receivable--Net
  Inventories
  Deferred Expenses and Advances
  Prepaids
Total Current Assets
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts and Notes Payable
  Deferred Income
  Accruals and Payroll Deduction
Total Current Liabilities
Working Capital
Other Assets
Fixed Assets--Net
Total Assets
Current Liabilities
Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Executive committee Report.

President: Hubert Rotharmel, PMA International President, CeWe Color AG & Co. OHG, Oldenburg, Germany

The PMA[R] Executive Committee oversaw the expansion of membership activities in the sports and events photography trade segment. During the year, PMA conducted a 12-city traveling seminar focusing on topics of interest for this fast-growing segment of the industry. In addition, PMA formed a sports photography committee to develop criteria for an accreditation program.

PMA's international members were presented with regional educational seminars. These seminars were conducted throughout Europe, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand. In August of 2006, PMA reached a two-year agreement with the Photo Industry Council of Australia (PICA) to manage trade show activities--in addition to the convention in that country.

In 2006, PMA held its second annual Canadian Exposition. which attracted more than 1,200 guests and brought together all the meaningful buying groups from throughout Canada for a single event.

These conventions and meetings were attended by top PMA officers and staff, ensuring PMA services were available in all areas where requested by members.

Members:

Ken Strawbridge, Strawbridge Studios Inc., Durham, N.C. USA

William Parker, MCPF, Ambiance by Porker Inc., Nashville, Tenn. USA

Allen Showalter, King Photo/Showalter Imaging Group, Harrisonburg, Va. USA

Fred Lerner, Ritz Interactive Inc., Irvine, Calif. USA

Mike Wodushek, Photoland Inc., Appleton, Wis. USA

Wade Mayberry. Ritz Camera Centers, Beltsville, Md. USA

Ted Fox, PMA, Jackson, Mich. USA

Association of Imaging Executives[R] (AIE[R]) report.

President: Mark Lane, American Color Imaging Inc., Cedar Foils, Iowa USA

Revolutionary change is what the Association of Imaging Executives (ALE, formerly APCI[R]) demanded in response to accelerating change in the imaging marketplace and in overall business conditions. As a result of exhaustive work at the Stowe, Vermont, and Park City, Utah, meetings to grapple with business issues and new ways of thinking about the association, key action steps were defined.

First, APCI was restructured as ALE in response to the desire to form a strong union of imaging professionals capable of leading with ideas and renewing the energy necessary to sustain and grow a successful professional association.

Second, the desire for executive learning in a peer-to-peer format was identified as a key deliverable for ALE in order to reinforce the value of the association in meeting business issues head-on with practical and immediate actionable learning.

Third, the interactive format of the former APCI Board and Past Presidents' Meeting was identified as a desirable format for supporting the development of social networks in addition to building business connections.

Based on the goals set out above, the 2006 annual AIE convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri. q-he content of the meeting was geared toward upper management staff of all segments of the imaging industry and addressed the integrated approach to strategic planning and business assessment based on the Balanced Scorecard method.

The content of Colorgram will be reformatted to cover topics of a more general business nature that is of interest to executive management of imaging companies, and the name of Colorgram will be changed to reflect the new direction of the publication.

President-Elect:

KiT Toren-Freeman, Allied Photographic & Imaging, Grand Rapids, Mich USA

First Vice President:

Thomas Rieger, Rieger Communications Inc., Gaithersburg, Md. USA

Second Vice President:

Ken Wilson, Lastrecolor Inc., Canton, Mass. USA

Treasurer:

Susan Rau, Northwest Professional Color, West Fargo, N.D. USA

Immediate Past President:

Kirk Green, Ferrari Color, Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Past President Director-at-Large:

Larry/Capodilupo, ICL Imaging, Framingham, Mass. USA

Directors-at-Large:

Larry/Apple, Associated Photo & Imaging Inc., Miami, Fla. USA

John Rak, The Artona Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Scott Robertson, CPQ Professional Imaging, Cleveland, Tenn. USA

Secretary/Executive Director:

Ted Fox, PMA, Jackson, Mich. USA

Certified Photographic Consultants (CPC[TM]) Advisory Committee Report.

Chair: Chris Lydle, CPC, Chris' Camera Center and Digital Photo, Aiken, S.C. USA

As of January 2. 2007, the CPC packet includes:

* Question and Answer Booklet.

* Digital Supplement (a 35-page supplement to the Reference Guide. updated annually).

* Digital Glossary of Terms (e-mailed PDF).

* Access to online testing.

In lieu of increasing the cost of the CPC program, the packet will no longer include the printed Reference Guide (a PDF is available online or on CD). A printed version of the Reference Guide will still be available and sold separately.

The committee is moving toward its goal for all testing to be completed online. This makes the testing process more efficient for CPC candidates. A small surcharge will be applied to those requesting Scantron exams; the Scantron exams will no longer be updated. The most recent versions of the exam will only be available online.

The committee stressed the need to move the program content online and make it interactive with streaming video, PowerPoint and audio. They also requested a The Complete Picture[TM] traveling road show.

The committee would like to offer a Young Achiever Award for a CPC. The winner would be sent to a CPC Committee Meeting or PMA Convention. The committee also suggested the need to highlight the CPC program at Division Meetings and Official Business Sessions, along with booths at conventions.

Members:

Jirair Christianian, Mike's Camera Inc., Boulder, Colo. USA

Ira Daly, Sandrian Camera Shops, Lebanon, N.J. USA

Charles Leveque, Black Photo Corporation, Markham, Ontario, Canada

Oswald Rapp, Phopar Inc., Appleton, Wis. USA

Pete Steuart, Creve Coeur Camera, St. Louis, Mo. USA

Convention Advisory Committee Report.

Chair: Edward C. Ritz, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

Attendance at the PMA 2006 International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, totaled more than 21,000. One in every five attendees came from outside the United States. We had 663 paid supplier exhibits.

In total, PMA 2006 had 172 new exhibitors. In a survey to our exhibitors, 74% of the respondents said they were Satisfied to Extremely Satisfied with the overall event.

PMA continued its practice of meeting with exhibitors in the spring to gather input on ways to refine and improve the trade show. This information was used to plan for the PMA 07 event. In addition, PMA held a trade press event in New York in November of 2006 to help promote the upcoming PMA 07 show in Las Vegas.

Copyright Advisory Committee Report.

Chair: Jack King, Camera World of North Carolina, Charlotte, N.C. USA

In 2005, PMA created the Copyright Advisory Committee. There are 14 members on the committee representing a wide array of companies. These include photofinishers, photo equipment and supply dealers, professional photographers and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The committee serves in an advisory capacity and meets on an as-needed basis.

The committee was created as a response to the continuing introduction of copyright related legislation at the federal and state levels. A reoccurring theme in the legislation was the removal of the innocent infringement protection that photo processors currently operate under.

Initial actions were to create a consumer awareness program to explain the details of copyright ownership and to consider the development of a method by which the consumer can acknowledge responsibility for their misrepresenting the ownership of the image being submitted for copying.

PMA has remained active in grass-roots legislative actions concerning legislation introduced in Washington and has submitted comments on proposed legislation.

In late 2006, PMA and PPA met to discuss several joint activities. These include an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, PPA's efforts at developing a copyright owner searchable database and the details of the Certified Copyright Center program.

Members:

Brent Bowyer, Independent Photo Imagers, Charleston, W.Va. USA

Peter Budabin, Photographic Scvs, Tray, Mich. USA

Christina Chiappetta, Walgreen Company, Deerfield, III. USA

Ronald Inkley, PMA Life Member, Ogden, Utah USA

Linda Kramer, Moto Franchise Corp., Dayton, Ohio USA

Joe Lisuzzo, Wal*Mart Photo Centers, Bentonville, Ariz. USA

Harry Loyle, Moto Franchise Corp., Dayton, Ohio USA

Grant Pill, CVS/Pharmacy, Woonsocket, R.I. USA

Harry Ratter, Town & Country Photo Dealers, North Wales, Pa. USA

Cassandra Rivers, FedEx Kinko's, Dallas, Texas USA

Steve Sheanin, Wedding & Portrait Photography International, Santa Monica, Calif. USA

Jeffrey Wilson, JW Party Pictures, El Segundo, Calif. USA

Michael Worswick, Wolfe's Camera & Video, Topeka, Kan. USA

Corporate and Institutional Imaging (CII) Committee Report.

Chair: William Fowls, American Greetings Corp., Cleveland, Ohio USA

The Corporate and Institutional Imaging (CII) Committee continued efforts on maximizing its involvement in the PMA International Convention and Trade Show during 2006. The CII Committee added a new member, Dick Blondin, head of imaging at Kennedy Space Center.

With the addition of Mr. Blondin to the committee and with the proximity of Kennedy Space Center to PMA 2006 in Orlando, Florida, the CII Committee took advantage of the offer to tour the imaging facilities at Kennedy. After an extensive background check of all CII committee members participating in the tour, the group was given temporary clearance to explore otherwise restricted areas of Kennedy Space Center.

The tour began in the imaging lab, where the committee got an inside view of the extremely complex digital asset management system used by NASA to document literally every square inch of every component used in assembling space shuttles, rockets and other machinery employed in space exploration. Seeing this database management system firsthand proved very valuable for CII members using other systems in their facilities. The committee was then shown around the other areas of the imaging lab, which included the digital photography equipment utilized in space, as well as all the workstations and printing equipment used on a daily basis at NASA.

After the group saw all aspects of the imaging facility, Mr. Blondin offered to give an "insider" tour of the space center. The group saw the space shuttle up close and personal, which included an area that was designed to test digital photography through the windows of the space shuttle. This rare privilege proved to be very enlightening as to how one of the most advanced governmental agencies handles millions of images on a daily basis.

Members:

David Adkins, Los Angeles Police Dept., Los Angeles, Calif. USA

Stephen R, Dembski, Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., Ridgefield Park, N.J. USA

Greg Dyro, Warner Bros. Photo Lab, Burbank, Calif. USA

Michael Golick, Ford Photographic, Dearborn, Mich. USA

Digital Imaging Marketing Association[R] (DIMA[R]) Board Report.

President: Brian Mundy, Photomation Photo Lab, Anaheim, Calif. USA

The 2006 DIMA Annual Conference, held in Orlando, Florida prior to PMA 2006 was another huge success, both in terms of attendance and content. Of all attendees surveyed, 94% rated the DIMA conference good, very good or excellent. DIMA ran half-day computer tutorials on Photoshop CS2 power shortcuts, RAW workflow and advanced creative compositing. The Brian Mundy conference also featured full-day seminars on two different inkjet printing disciplines: 1) giclee fine art printmaking and 2) digital sign making. In addition, DIMA featured its usual lineup of cutting-edge topics and industry leading speakers.

Also taking place was the launch and successful deployment of the DIMAcast, a weekly podcast program available as a free service to all DIMA members. Beginning with DIMA 2006 conference content and evolving into exclusive interviews with industry members and new technology companies, the DIMAcast has proved to be a new and valuable way to disseminate information to DIMA members.

DIMA aligned itself with some key strategic partners in 2006. DIMA was responsible for organizing the Cameraphone Shoot-Out at CTIA Wireless 2006. This event compared images from 18 different cameraphones on-site, which involved shooting images in a controlled environment, transferring images to a photo kiosk, printing the images and evaluating the prints.

The 2006 DIMA board meeting held at PMA headquarters in June 2006 included discussion about new programs DIMA can offer to the industry, new topics and speakers for DIMA 2007, and some changes to the DIMA bylaws concerning board member eligibility.

President-Elect:

Brian Ainsworth, Photos Ar' Nice Inc., Gainesville, Fla. USA

First Vice President:

Sieve Olock, Dan's Camera City, Allentown, Pa. USA

Second Vice President:

Randy Wright, Specialty Color Services, Santa Barbara, Calif. USA

Immediate Past President:

Martin Wagner, Ringfoto GmbH & Co. Alfo Mktg. KG, Fuerth,

Germany

Director-at-Large:

Bill Johnson, Robin Imaging Services, Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Secretary/Executive Director:

Ted Fox, PMA, Jackson, Mich. USA

Trustees:

Paul Gallo, Vista Color Imaging Inc., Cleveland, Ohio USA

Phil Gresham, Fotofast, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Joshua Litwin, Memento Press Inc., San Francisco, Calif. USA

Chris Lydle, Chris' Camera Center and Digital Photo, Aiken, S.C. USA

John Moore, PhotoMagic, Austin, Texas USA

Gabrielle Mullinax, Fullerton Photo, Fullerton, Calif. USA

Paul Rentz, Rush Hour Photo, Corvallis, Ore. USA

Lee Varis, Varis PhotoMedia, Los Angeles, Calif. USA

Environmental Committee Report.

The Environmental Committee serves as a forum for the discussion of common environmental, health and safety (EH&S) issues for PMA[R] members involved in image processing. The businesses on the committee represent over 90% of the image processing volume available in the retail and wholesale imaging sectors in the United States. The committee consists of 10 members representing the following general areas: wholesale photofinishing, retail/one-hour photofinishing, mass merchandisers, commercial labs and people labs, and cruise lines.

Besides providing valuable feedback to PMA, the meetings create an opportunity to update the members on national and state issues, developing a networking and support system for members whose primary job responsibilities do not involve dealing with EH&S issues on a regular basis.

Ongoing needs identified by the committee were:

* Expand the online Sewer Regulations database to include smaller municipalities.

* Continue the regulatory assistance for low-discharge-limit municipalities.

* Continue the PMA regulatory intervention/support activities.

* Provide PMA training materials in a customizable format and online.

* Additional meetings hosted off-site.

Items that were accomplished in 2005-2006 include:

* Created PMAIRegs.com website, consolidating regulatory information into one location.

* Maintained an active role in oversight of national and state level silver regulations.

* Continued to provide oversight of silver research activities.

* Continued to support SilverCouncil.com website.

* Continued to provide advocacy for the Code of Management Practices for Silver Dischargers (CMP) and other regulatory issues:

* Miami-Dade County Best Management Practices (BMP) program

* Maine hazardous waste issue

* Continued the PMA EH&S Answer Line.

Members:

Larry Adams, Wal*Mart Photo Centers, Bentonville, Ark. USA

Susan Borea, Fujicolor Processing Inc., Tarrytown, N.Y. USA

Darrell Bradtield, Eastman Kodak Company, Durham, N.C. USA

Christina Chiappetta, Walgreen Company, Deerfield, III. USA

Jim Hogenson, Lifetouch Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn. USA

John Johnson, Abar Imaging Center, Providence, R.I. USA

Tom Kelly, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

Randall Rucker, Moto Franchise Corp., Dayton, Ohio USA

Michael Tumis, Walgreen Company, Deerfield, III. USA

Chris Wells, Image Photo Services, Miami, Fla. USA

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mass Merchondiser Committee Report

Chair: Joe Lisuzzo, Wal*Mart Photo Centers, Bentonville, Ark. USA

The Mass Merchandiser Committee's major recommendations included a daylong seminar with InfoTrends or NPD at the PMA International Convention and Trade Show. In terms of market research, this group recommends a monthly processing survey. The committee would like to see more timely market research and more research coming out of Asia, Latin America and Europe.

The committee would like to see a more customizable format to the CPC[TM] and SPFE[R] programs. They also recommend having the programs integrated into the mass merchandisers' existing training programs and then being recognized as CPC or SPFE certified.

Members:

Allen Brown, Rite Aid Corp., Camp Hill, Pa. USA

Kristen Elder, Circuit City Stores Inc., Richmond, Va. USA

Glen Hutchinson, Costco Wholesale, Issaquah, Wash. USA

Mona Kelly, Walgreen Company, Deerfield, III. USA

David Miller, Target Stores, Minneapolis, Minn. USA

Joe Miller, Albertsons Inc., Boise, Idaho USA

Lorry Nitz, Woodman's Food Market, Janesville, Wis. USA

Jim O'Neil, Sears Holding Corp., Hoffman Estates, III. USA

Grant Pill, CVS/Pharmacy, Woonsacket, R.I. USA

Scott Porter, Kerr Drug, Raleigh, N.C. USA

Rob Shadowens, Meijer Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. USA

Brian Stone, Best Buy Company Inc., Richfield, Minn. USA

Frank Tent, London Drugs Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Terri Thomas, Fruth Pharmacy, Point Pleasant, W.Va. USA

Brad Ufer, Coborn's Incorporated, St. Cloud, Minn. USA

Robin Wright-Broughton, Safeway Inc., Pleasanton, Calif. USA

Nell Yorian, Longs Drug Stores, Walnut Creek, Calif. USA

Minilabs/Local Markets Advisory Committee Report

Chair: Don Spring Jr., Cavalcade Color Lab, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

Major concerns and opportunities identified by the Minilabs/Local Markets Advisory Committee include maximizing retail space, passport business, offering consumer education, managing change, online photo processing, merchandising, the growing fine art niche, and technology changes. Specific requests of PMA include keeping members informed of new association programs and services and providing a data analysis program for members to better gauge the effectiveness of their business strategies.

PMA has responded through the publication of numerous articles in PMA Magazine--Connecting the Imaging Communities. Articles in Minilab Focus newsletter also addressed issues of the committee, as did specialized education sessions at the 2006 Canadian Exposition.

PMA Marketing Research completed numerous reports focusing on retail lab issues, including monthly reports on printing and camera trends as well as print prices. Special reports on consumer imaging in Canada, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan, as well as the US Consumer Photo Buying Report, U.S. Photo Industry 2006.. Review and Forecast, Photo Kiosk: Virtual Showroom 2006, and PMA Photo Book Report were completed for the retail segment.

PMA continues to develop and support products and programs specifically relevant to the specialty retail/minilab market, including the Video-on-Demand Digital Quick Start training program, Expert Photo Center program, and Qualified Digital Processing Center (QDPC) program. PMA also debuted a new "Member Advantage" column in the PMA magazine and began work on resources for members to apply their own data and analyze their business effectiveness, which will be introduced to the membership in early 2007.

Members:

Darrell Costello, West Coast Photo Ltd., Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada

Gary Grinaker, The Photo Express Inc., Bismarck, N.D. USA

Nell Hoversten, Photo Finish Inc., Sheridan, Wyo. USA

Mike Kidd, Rainbow Photo, Bellevue, Wash. USA

Manny Park, Pro Image, New York, N.Y. USA

John Perchulyn, Riviera Imaging Inc., Redando Beach, Calif. USA

John Peterson, Colorado Photo Imaging, Littleton, Colo. USA

Margaret Remy, Quick Prints, Meridian, Miss. USA

Damien Ryan, Alice Springs Camera Shop, Alice Springs, Northern Terriroty, Australia

Kirk Sidley, N & S Photo, Portland, Ore. USA

William Smith Jr., Family Photo Carp., Brookfield, Wis. USA

Steve Wellington, Spectrum Photos Ltd., South Dunedin, New Zealand

Brian Wood, Photovision, Salem, Ore. USA

National Association of Photo Equipment Technicians[R] (NAPET[R]) Board Report

President: Allen McEver, Peachtree Camera/Video Repair, Marietta, Ga. USA

The main goal of our group is to foster good relationships with major photographic equipment manufacturers in order to facilitate the availability of parts, training and service information to all NAPET members.

In the past year, NAPET has worked in conjunction with the Society of Photo-Technologists (SPT) to determine which parts are still needed in the marketplacebut are no longer available through regular channels. SPT then works with a third party manufacturer to make these replacement parts.

The Annual Convention provides a forum for all members to exchange ideas through formalized educational sessions as well as in relaxed social settings.

Board Members:

Jenny Gill, Comet Camera & Video Repair, Cherry Hill, N.J. USA

Raymond Heinbekel Jr., Midwest Camera Repair, Inc., Wyandotte, Mich. USA

Kim Volz, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

Online and Mobile Imaging Advisory Committee Report

Co-Chairs:

Pierre Barbeau, Sprint PCS Product Marketing, Overland Park, Kan. USA

Richard Tranchida, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

The Online and Mobile Imaging Advisory Committee serves primarily an advisory function regarding what impact online and mobile imaging will have on PMA membership as a whole.

The committee has looked at ways to improve the dialog between the traditional photo retail community, the handset manufacturers and the wireless carriers for the benefit of all. PMA[R] was a major sponsor of the 6Sight Conference in Monterey, California, in September, which attracted high-level executives from the mobile and imaging industries.

PMA continues to work with wireless carriers to enable cameraphone images to be received and printed by PMA member retailers.

PMA was also involved in outreach projects, including sponsorship of a digital camera shoot-out at the CTIA annual trade show.

Members:

Jamie Bardin, EZ Prints Inc., Norcross, Ga. USA

David Burmester, Verizon Wireless, Laurel, Md. USA

Drew Carpenter, Wal*Mart.com, Brisbane, Calif. USA

Vahe Christianian, LifePics Inc., Boulder, Colo. USA

Nell Cohen, District Photo Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

Slef De Corte, Spector Photo Group, Wetteren, Belgium

Ole Bjorn Knudsen, FotoKnudsen AS, Bergen, Norway

Joe Kowalik, Graphx Inc., Woburn, Md. USA

Michel Labadie, Les Pros De La Photo, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Michel Lacaille, PhotoChannel Networks Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Daniela Lobo, Nokia Inc., White Plains, N.Y. USA

Noel Mareno, Phoenix Consultants, Frisco, Texas USA

Brian Marks. Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y. USA

Joseph Palaggi, Fujicolor Processing Inc., Tarrytown, N.Y. USA

Glenn Paul, dotPhoto Inc., West Trenton, N.J. USA

John Prendergast, Fuji Photo Film USA Inc., Valhalla, N.Y. USA

Gall Redmond, SozoTek Inc., Austin, Texas USA

Wulf Schmidt-Sacht, CeWe Color AG & Co. OHG, Oldenburg, Germany

Vikram Singh, eBay, San Jose, Calif. USA

Aaron Weiss, Hewlettt Packard, San Diego, Calif. USA

People Lab Advisory Committee Report

Chair: Richard Miller, Miller's Professional Imaging, Pittsburg, Kan. USA

In 2006, there were a number of new labs advertising in industry publications. Some of these labs appear to be new due to "re-branding," but several new start-ups are doing very well. Re-branding is working for some labs by providing a new model that addresses the changing marketplace. Additionally, some of the committee members indicated that the potential volume (order size) is smaller today, but the quantity of customers is increasing. Of prime importance is the "soccer mom market.

The "soccer mom" is a primary capture source but is not interested in handling the output. This provides a new revenue source for the prolabs in the form of new output services. Many traditional people labs have taken advantage of this opportunity by re-positioning traditional services and incorporating online strategies.

It should also be noted that committee members who attended PMA 2006 saw an increase in the number of people from outside the traditional people lab industry. These new visitors are interested in the great new opportunities offered by the digital market.

Another trend noted is the increasing number of female photographers. The prolab may need to consider refocusing its marketing strategies to promote this new segment. There is agreement among the committee members that 60-70 percent of the photographers today are female, and that number is increasing. Women photographers are the new and growing segment.

People Lab Committee Members:

Larry Abitbol, Bay Photo Lab, Santa Cruz, Calif. USA

Greg DerBoghosian, Century Color Labs Inc., East Hartford, Conn. USA

Lou George, BWC Photo Imaging, Dallas, Texas USA

Bob Goldblatt, Rieger Communications Inc., Clarksburg, Md. USA

Mark Lane, American Color Imaging Inc., Cedar Falls, Iowa USA

Steve Pullin, Full Color Inc., Dallas, Texas USA

Dan Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds Photographics, Littleton, Colo. USA

Scott Robertson, CPQ Professional Imaging, Cleveland, Tenn. USA

Ken Strawbridge, Strawbridge Studios, Inc., Durham, N.C. USA

Marc Struble, Burrell Colour Inc., Crown Paint, Ind. USA

Kim Toren-Freeman, Allied Photagraphic & Imaging, Grand Rapids, Mich. USA

Steve Troup, Buckeye Color Lab, North Canton, Ohio USA

Kenneth Wilson, Lustrecolor Inc., Canton, Mass. USA

Photo Imoging Education Association (PIEA) Board Report

President: Betty Lark Ross, The Latin School, Chicago, III. USA

PIEA is transitioning from Ken Lassiter, Senior Consultant to PMA, who has been responsible for the growth of PIEA for 13 years now, to Mark Murray, Consultant to PMA, who served as the first chairman of the PIEA board in its founding year.

The activities planned for the conference in Las Vegas in March 2007 included the first all-day photo safari to Death Valley National Park. Forty-five photographers were slated to spend the day touring the park and photographing the sites. Mark Olson, former PIEA president and photography professor at the Community College of Southern Nevada, was instrumental in setting up the safari for this year.

A committee, appointed by the PIEA board last year, is moving forward on the new PIEA journal. The board has approved the name PIEA Journal far Photography Education. The mission statement, also approved by the board, is "The PIEA Journal for Photography Education is dedicated to serving the community of photography educators worldwide in support of teaching and research across curricula related to the teaching of photography. The journal provides a forum for scholarly articles on pedagogy, contemporary and historical processes and applications, and all other aspects of photographic endeavors related to the field of photographic imaging education." Submission requirements and the review board will be determined in the near future.

Past President:

Bill Barrett, Webster University, St. Louis, Mo. USA

President-Elect:

Lex Youngman, Wingate University, Wingate, N.C. USA

Vice President:

Daniel Overturf, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, III. USA

Vice President, International Affairs:

Ian Smith, Audley House, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

Vice President and Webmaster:

Joseph Ippolito, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla. USA

Director-at-Large:

Eduard Uzumeckis, Yavapai College, Sedona, Ariz. USA

Treasurer:

Trudy Baker-Tale, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Mo.

USA

Secretary/PMA Liaison:

Ted Fox, PMA, Jackson, Mich. USA

Senior PMA Consultant:

Ken Lassiter, Boynton Beach, Fla. USA

PMA Consultant:

Mark Murray, Arlington ISD, Arlington, Texas USA

Photo Retailers and On-Site Lab/ National Markets Committee Report

Chair: Wade Mayberry, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

This year's committee discussions centered on the following:

* The consumer lacks understanding of what the specialty retailer is in our industry. How can we change this?

* Brand deliverables.

* Your niche or "mile" must be defined.

* Produce more traffic--drive the consumer into our specialty stores.* Find additional revenue streams. Ideas included offering:

* televisions

* scanners

* portrait studios

* glamour shots

* photo restoration

* inkjet refills

* sports/event photography

* photo books

* scrapbooks--digital or traditional

* framing

* Need to supplement the loss of photo printing. The committee suggested PMA help the membership by:

* Continuing research into changing demographics. Is the U.S. changing?

* Assisting with answering what online customers want from a web page.

* Providing additional information regarding blogs and what works.

* Providing articles or educational sessions on successful retailing inside or outside of the industry.

* Providing articles that describe new business models.

* Continuing to push for memories to get printed.

* Researching the concept of "Got Milk?" for our industry. Is there funding?

Observations from the committee:

* Retailers need to tie in with their communities--"cause" marketing.

* The computer hard drive is the new shoebox.

* It takes too long for a media card to fill. People lose interest.

* Will there be another generation of specialty retailers?

* All of us should encourage new entrepreneurs to enter the memory-making business.

Members:

Wolfgang Abendroth, CeWe Color AG & Co. OHG, Oldenburg, Germany

Michael Likierman, Grand Vision, Paris, France

Harry Loyle, Moto Franchise Corp., Dayton, Ohio USA

Murray Souter, Black Photo Corp., Markham, Ontario, Canada

Stephen Weiss, Creve Coeur Camera, St. Louis, Mo. USA

Mike Worswick, Wolfe's Camera & Video, Topeka, Kan. USA

Photo Retailers and On-Site Lab/ Local Markets Advisory Committee Report

Co-Chairs:

Brian S. Noble, Noble Industries, Inc., Hingham, Mass. USA

Joel Paymer, Camera Land Inc., New York, N.Y. USA

The Photo Retailers and On-Site Lab/ Local Markets Advisory Committee continues to address the changing needs and opportunities of the specialty retailer segment. The committee's discussions revolved around the issues of educating consumers, kiosk usage, unique ways of decreasing overhead, coaching and motivating employees, and selling the concept of high quality to the public. Competing in declining markets, marketing and promotion, and non-traditional market opportunities also continue to be at the forefront of this segment's challenges.

PMA has responded through the publication of numerous articles in Photo Marketing magazine as well as education sessions at the 2006 Canadian Exposition.

PMA Marketing Research completed numerous reports focusing on retail lab issues, including monthly reports on printing and camera trends as well as print prices. Special reports on consumer imaging in Canada, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany and Japan, as well as the US Consumer Photo Buying Report, U.S. Photo Industry 2006: Review and Forecast, Photo Kiosk: Virtual Showroom 2006, and PMA Photo Book Report were also completed for the retail segment.

PMA continues to develop and support projects designed to help spur consumer prints from digital media. Supporting both trade and consumer efforts, activities include PR placements in trade and consumer publications, personality appearances on national market media, and the continued development of programs such as the Expert Photo Center, Qualified Digital Processing Center (QDPC), and The Complete Picture[TM] Inspiration Center at PMA 07--a replicable retail environment inspiring photo specialty retailers to offer consumers an outstanding one-stop resource for all their photo-related needs.

Members:

Roger Christian, University Camera & Imaging, Iowa City, Iowa USA

Jerry Harmen, Madison PhotoPlus, Madison, N.J. USA

Jack King, Camera World of North Carolina, Charlotte, N.C. USA

Larry Meece, Omega Photo, Bellevue, Wash. USA

Patricia Miller-Oil, Miller's Camera & Custom Photofinishing Inc., Wenatchee, Wash. USA

Richard Robertson, Ted's Camera Stores (Vic) Ply, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Rich Rosenberg, Phototek Corporation, Elmhurst, III. USA

Jessica Sarber. Sarber's Cameras, Oakland, Calif. USA

Steve Spencer, Leo's Camera Shop, Klamath Falls, Ore. USA

Richard Yagjian, W.B. Hunt Co. Inc., Melrose, Mass. USA

Professional Picture Framers Association[TM] (PPFA[R]) Advisory Committee Report

Chair: John Pruitt, CPF. The Frameworks, Carrollton, Texas USA

The PPFA Advisory Committee continued discussions in prioritizing what services PPFA members would utilize. The top tangible services included development of a postcard program to help framers in marketing efforts to consumers, development of business "white papers," and updates and revisions for both certification programs and competitions.

The industry leaders helped plan the educational activities, including topics and speakers, for the PMA International Convention and Trade Show, PMA Australia and PMA Canada Exposition.

The Advisory Committee also discussed improving the PPFA website and the online exchange.

PMA market research, both consumer and trade, continues to be a service the committee finds extremely valuable.

Members:

Peter Ackerman, United Mfrs. Supplies Inc., Syosset, N.Y. USA

Marc Bluestone, FrameGroup Inc., Maryland Heights, Mo. USA

Curl Brey, The Fletcher-Terry Co., Farmington, Conn. USA

Rob Clark, Wizard International, Mukilteo, Wash. USA

Jenny Erlandson, 335 Framing, Green Bay, Wis. USA

Roy Hermann, CPF, Frame 'N Rail, Canyon Country, Calif. USA

Mark Klostermeyer, MCPF, Design Frames, Falls Church, Va. USA

Kenneth Link, CPF, Picture This & More, Alton, III. USA

Rob Markoff, CPF, Gallery Services, San Diego, Calif. USA

James Miller, MCPF, GCF, Artframe Inc., Pickerington, Ohio USA

Dave Petruno, Roma Moulding, Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada

Dave Rosner, Framerica Company, Yaphank, N.Y. USA

Kerry Wilson, MCPF, GCF, Windrush Gallery, Fairfax, Va. USA

Professional School Photographers Association International[TM] (PSPA[TM]) Board Report

President: John Mark. Mark Lab--Dorian Studio, Spokane, Wash. USA

The PSPA board sees members of the industry continuing to experience significant challenges throughout the U.S. school portrait market as well as in Europe. Consolidation and a participation rate that is declining or flat (at best) still looms large. Challenging existing firms is a relatively low entry barrier for incoming school photographers to the industry, which adds to the competition. Thus, the PSPA Boardis recommending PMA/PSPA creates an accreditation program, whereby professionalism, longevity and expertise can be rewarded for school photographers. The board will work with PMA staff to create the accreditation program for formal roll-out at the PSPA 2007 Convention.

The other major issue pinpointed by the board was the need to expand the PSPA membership. Board members agreed to work with the PMA Membership Department over the next year in a telephone campaign to reach prospective PSPA members within their respective local regions.

President-Elect: Albert Leung, Jostens Canada, Ltd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

First Vice President: Robert Kerr, Royal Photographics Inc., Bethlehem, Pa. USA

Second Vice President: Harvey Parido, Bryn-Alan Studio, Tampa, Fla. USA

Treasurer: Todd Wilbert, Creative Images, Stevensville, Md. USA

Directors: Jurgen Schuster, Boys & Girls Fotografie GmbH, Mannheim, Germany Jim Wingard, School Portrait Group of Arkansas, Midway, Ark. USA

Technical Advisor: Jim Pool, Aurora, Colo. USA

Professional Scrapbook Retailers Organization[TM] (PSRO[TM]) Advisory Committee Report

Chair: Jeanne Wines-Reed, Scrapbook Retailer Magazine, Ogden, Utah USA

The PSRO Advisory Committee helped prioritize the services that scrapbook retailers would likely take advantage of and find relevant. Market research (trade and consumer), tools to help drive consumers into the retail shop, business tools and industry trends were the top services suggested.

The committee spent considerable time and effort helping map out educational activities for the PMA International Convention and Trade Show, PMA Australia, and the PMA Canada Exposition.

Scrapbook suppliers on the advisory committee find PMA market research the number one service provided and reason alone to belong to PMA.

Members:

Camille Akin, Ever After Scrapbooks, Carlsbad, Calif. USA

Brenda Birrell, Pebbles in My Pocket, Orem, Utah USA

Kent Chesley, Ellison, Lake Forest, Calif. USA

Rich Cordle. Cord Camera Centers Inc., Columbus, Ohio USA

Shane Cullimore, Crafter's Home LLC, Kaysville, Utah USA

Nancy Kraus, Timeless Treasures, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. USA

John Leuck, 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn. USA

Karen Monroe, Luv2Scrapbook, Fort Wayne, Ind. USA

Brian Olmstead, Archivers, Minnetonka, Minn. USA

Lindsay Ostrom, Paper Rabbit, Colfax, Calif. USA

William Reed, F+W Publications Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Jill Rinner, Our Favorite Things, Okemos, Mich. USA

Melody Ross, Chatterbox, Eagle, Idaho USA

Donna Smylie, Memory Lane Photo & Paper Arts, Gilbert, Ariz. USA

James Thornton, Provocraft, Spanish Fork, Utah USA

Retail Portrait & Event Photography Advisory Committee Report

Chair: Roger Berg, Creative Photo Inc., Columbia, Mo. USA

At the committee's meeting in June, discussions revolved around the proliferation of new pro-sumer photographers, fueled by the growth of affordable DSLR cameras for home-based photographers, and the resulting need for products and services that differentiate the members from amateurs. Other needs that were identified include continued Photoshop training, posing J technique education, PS Painter education, promotional and marketing assistance, and an idea-exchange forum, as well as an accreditation/certification program. Photo books presented this segment with the greatest opportunity to date.

PMA[R] has responded through the publication of numerous articles in Photo Marketing magazine, as well as education sessions at the 2006 Canada Exposition.

PMA Marketing Research completed numerous reports highlighting portrait and event photography issues, including the US Consumer Photo Buying Report (2006) and PMA Photo Book Report.

As the committee evolves, PMA continues to investigate and develop new products and services designed to support the portrait and event imaging segment. An accreditation program and online photographer's forum will be further addressed in 2007.

Members:

Bill Durvin, Abar Imaging Center, Providence, R.I. USA

Tom Hayes, Visual Image Photography Inc., Cedarburg, Wis. USA

Scott Johnson, N & S Photo, Portland, Ore. USA

Dirk Wentling, Wentling's Studio Inc., Concord, Calif. USA

Jeffrey Wilson, JW Party Pictures, El Segundo, Calif. USA

Michael Wodushek, Photoland Inc., Appleton, Wis. USA

School Photographers Advisory Committee Report

Chair: John Rak, The Artona Group Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The School Photographers Advisory Committee is made up of owners/operators and managers from a cross-section of firms within the school picture industry. The committee's principle objective is to assist the PSPA Board of Directors by providing additional input on a variety of industry-related issues. The committee brainstormed and recommended potential session topics for PSPA 2007 (general, mini, and roundtable sessions). Recommendations included a session from an "outside-the-industry" expert on sales and marketing and a supplier session to educate trade show attendees about the latest trends on products and services within the school photography industry. Top priorities for membership services included the potential creation of an accreditation program (including background checks) and a certification program for school photographers. This input was then shared with the PSPA board in its meetings with Association staff regarding programming educational sessions for the PSPA Annual Convention, bettering membership services, and story suggestions for the PSPA monthly newsletter, The School Photographer.

Members:

Bill Freeman, Photo Package Lob, Houston, Texas USA

Mark Maynard, Aim Photo Industries Inc., Hialeah, Fla. USA

Dean Stewart, Dean Stewart Photography, Melbourne, Fla. USA

Reid Stone, Stone's Studio Inc., Pensacola, Fla. USA

PMA Advisor: Jim Pool, Aurora, Colo. USA

Society of Photo Finishing Engineers[R] (SPFE[R]) Advisory Committee Report

Chair: Tom Kelly, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md. USA

This year, the Society of Photo Finishing Engineers (SPFE) membership rose to 1,782 individuals. Currently, there are 1,230 active SPFE candidates, which are those individuals that have completed the study question examination process or have applied to take the final test. In 2006, there were 808 SPFE packages sold.

The membership of the SPFE Advisory Committee in 2006 included representatives from Costco Canada, Qualex, Fujicolor Processing, and Ritz Camera. As a member of the SPFE Advisory Committee, each person provides or arranges for a technically accurate and informative article for the bi-monthly SPFE newsletter. The article topics for the SPFE newsletter in 2006 were: "Color Management," "Image Storage--Archival Quality?," "Silver Halide Papers--Why They Are Still the Best," "Digital Imaging Workflow-Upload to Output," "Process Control in the Digital Era," and "Cameraphones--Current Technology Issues."

SPFE sessions at PMA 2006 in Orlando, Florida, included: Color Management--The Kiosk Effect, Cameraphones--Technology Considerations, and Image Preservation.

Members:

David Buzynski, Fujicolor Processing Inc., Tarrytown, N.Y. USA

Jay Hitchens, Qualex Inc., Durham, N.C. USA

Dienna Schmidt, Black Photo Corporation, Markham, Ontario, Canada

Technical Advisor: Herb Stein, Boynton Beach, Fla. USA

Sports Photographers Association of America (SPAA) Advisory Committee Report

Chair: Frank Hadfield, Perry Photo, Murphys, Calif. USA

The SPAA committee focused on creating features/benefits of being an SPAA member and encouraging attendance at future SPAA educational conferences and seminars. The committee cited three key reasons for being a member/conference attendee of SPAA. They are:

1. To learn about the latest and greatest products and services that are present in the sports photography business in an effort to solidify your company's role in the business.

2. To become educated on the cutting-edge photographer techniques from capture to final output in producing the ultimate sports portrait package for your customers.

3. To network with other members of the sports photography industry and share challenges and opportunities involving the three major segments that make up that industry--School Sports, League Sports and Event Action Coverage.

The SPAA committee made its programming recommendations for the first annual SPAA Conference, March 8-9, 2007, consisting of eight one-hour sessions along with two four-hour tutorial sessions. A lab luncheon and a supplier luncheon (enabling vendors to meet with trade members) were also planned.

Members:

Charles Bernhardt, All League Sports Photo & Lab, Foothill Ranch, Calif. USA

Mike Luter, Desktap Darkroom Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. USA

John Pittman, Sport Stars Inc., Northampton, Pa. USA

Raymond Smith, Action Images Sports Photography, Wellsburg, W.Va. USA

Richard Stevens, Magco Sports Photo Products, Newark, Ohio USA

Patrick Taylor, Pat Taylor Photography, Eaton, Ohio USA

Peter Taylor, PPI Lab, Mobile, Ala. USA

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Australia Activity Report

National Chairperson: Peter Stallard, Stallard's Camera House, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

The year saw significant changes in the PMA Australian office: major changes occurred in affiliations within our industry, there was an increase in the number of social functions arranged by PMA, and the Sundowner-type networking sessions for members were reintroduced.

There were 23 state meetings held during the year in all States of Australia. These are very well attended and have become "must attend" functions for those within our industry. This is primarily due to the excellent chairpersons we have in each state, who are active in ensuring participation from as many members as possible in their area. Pat Jacobs in New South Wales, Phil Gresham in Queensland, Laurie Rogers in Victoria, Tim Jones in Tasmania, Allan Logue in South Australia, and Murray Gibbs in Western Australia are all ably led by our energetic national president Richard Robinson and have all assisted in making PMA meetings relevant and interesting.

More than 1,200 delegates attended this year's PMA Australia convention in Sydney from all over the country as well as from New Zealand and Asia. Convention streams included PMA[R], DIMA[R], APCI[R], PPFA[R], PSRO[TM], PSPA[TM], and PIEA. As an indirect result of the show, this office was able to sign up 23 new PSRO members.

The most significant event throughout the year was undoubtedly the signing of the agreement between PMA and the Photo Imaging Council of Australia (PICA) to jointly run and manage the PMA convention and exhibition in Melbourne in 2007. The successful signing of the agreement followed extensive negotiations between the executives of PICA and PMA.

Brazil Activity Report

National Chairperson: Douglas Bruschi, Foto XV Ltda., Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brasil

Sao Paulo hosted the XI Congress at American Chamber premises in early June and had 300 people present. The Business Tables were all sold, with many new members as sponsors.

The three divisions held 10 meetings altogether during 2006. There were three end-of-the-year dinners, with more than 50 people present.

Continuing education also included the Quick Start Digital Seminars Program that was followed by a training program to prepare and improve the sales skills of those selling digital services and products. Those events took place in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Canada Activity Report

National Chairperson: Jean Simard, L.L. Lozeau Ltee., Montreal, Quebec, Canada

During 2006, the PMA Canada office experienced one of its most successful years. Time was spent assisting members with concerns involving environmental regulations and requirements in various regions, copyright interpretation and new government proposals that dissolved with the government change and have now resurfaced with a new government, as well as assisting divisions to run their many member events.

During 2006, the Canadian divisions planned eight meetings. Each division held an annual golf outing during the summer and an annual meeting with seminars in either the spring or fall. The Canadian divisions continued to receive fantastic support from the industry manufacturers and suppliers with time, money and human resources.

The PMA Canada Exposition 2006 hosted by PMA and held in the nation's capital--Ottawa, Ontario--proved to be an unqualified success. The original intent was to provide a venue that allowed the major buying groups to come together at one venue and, thus, reduce the number of trade shows by three or four. This came to fruition in September 2006. This truly Canadian event allowed all industry members to gather together for three days of seminars, training, and opportunities to see the display booths and all the new products that would be available for the holiday season. Initial expectations for attendance by both exhibitors and retailers were doubled, with a final count of 79 firms showing products in 149 booth spaces. In total, more than 1,180 members attended this three-day event. The demand for this type of event was evident, and the PMA Canada office, along with a steering committee of key interested vendors and retailers as well as the buying groups, is busy completing plans for the 2007 Expo to be held in Toronto, Ontario, at the Toronto Congress Centre, September 23-25, 2007.

Central and Eastern Europe Activity Report

This year's activities were off to a great start with the PMA Europe event in Moscow. Attendance rose by more than 50 percent compared to the last event, and the sponsors were very satisfied with the 'new blood' that had been injected by including the professional sector. The seminars, too, were very favorably received, and we were able to further expand our membership base. It also provided an opportunity to market the PMA 2006 trade show in Orlando to new companies.

Attendance from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at PMA 2006 was quite satisfactory. The recorded number of attendants from this part of the world was well over 80. PMA 2006 proved to be a well-organized get-together for these visitors. Several new companies that are just entering the imaging market, coming from the computer sector, were present.

Europe Activity Report

The year began as usual with preparations for PMA 2006 in Orlando, Florida. The competitively priced travel packages, offered through two leading German tour operators, continue to find a large customer base.

Again, a large number of visitors attended PMA 2006 from Europe. There was an especially significant turnout of German visitors at the general session in which Hubert Rotharmel of CeWe Color in Oldenburg was elected as the first German PMA president. The number of exhibitors was also very satisfactory.

PMA was once again present with a booth at photakina in Cologne, Germany, and was able to welcome a large number of visitors from all over the world. Apart from meeting new and existing members, this office was busy attracting major sponsors for PMA Europe, which will once again be held at the four venues: Birmingham, Milan, Moscow and Paris in the fall of 2007. In addition to our regular advertising for PMA 07 in Las Vegas in the print media, this office did a mailing to 4,000 companies in the German-speaking countries of Europe, which appears to have been very successful.

France Activity Report

National Chairperson: Dominique Couquy, Studio Herwey, Bourg en Bresse, France

The year started with the now-traditional annual dinner that was attended by 75 members. The opportunity was taken here to inform the members of an organized trip to PMA Orlando, and the result was a larger than usual number of visitors from France to the annual conference and show.

In January, following lengthy discussions, the PMA office in Paris was closed. An agreement was reached with Star Press Group (SPG), publishers of the PMA France newsletter, whereby membership matters were to be handled by the UK office and events in France were to be organized by Christine Valis, formerly the PMA France Director, who joined SPG as commercial director. Nigel McNaught, Director of PMA UK, assumed overall responsibility for activities in France.

Officers for the year were Dominique Cauquy, National Chairperson, as well as Dominique Lacroix and Patrick Wecksteen, territorial vice presidents.

The MIPS (Mondial Image-Photo-Son) Exhibition in March included PMA participation with a small booth as part of the larger SPG presence. SPG also published three issues of Photo Marketing magazine for members in France.

This office held two very successful roundtable discussion groups in 2006 under the chairmanship of Alain Choquet of SPG. This first took place in Paris during the MIPS Exhibition and attracted more than 70 people for a debate on the subject of the effect of the Internet on hardware and print sales. The second roundtable was held in Montpellier in June when 30 people debated the subject of "beyond the 10-by-15-inch print," a subject which led to lengthy discussion of the roles of photo books and creative montages.

Nigel McNaught was elected to the General Assembly of the Association pour le Promotion de l'Image (API) as the PMA representative in France. PMA contributed to the influential and comprehensive annual Ipsos market research study, the results of which are available to members to assist their marketing planning.

Latin America Activity Report

Mexico National Chairperson: Guillermo Vargas Plauchu, Foto Servicios SA de CV, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Peru National Chairperson: Albino Samanez, Foto Johnny SAC, Lima, Peru

The year was marked by activities for Latin America (LATAM) that were geared to solidify the image of PMA among members and other professionals of the industry. With this objective, two different venues were organized in LATAM, consisting of two-day events in Mexico City, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Brasil; and Lima City, Peru.

Mexico City's venue was a success with more than 250 people attending the venue. Lima City's venue was an outstanding success for PMA with more than 500 attendees to the two days of conferences and trade show.

Translated into Spanish, the PMA Data Watch report was issued by the Marketing Research Department of PMA. The information is very valuable for the LATAM market and has been included as a permanent part of the monthly newsletter in Spanish. During November and December, some particular reports have been requested to be e-mailed to LATAM members in addition to the newsletter.

In trying to improve the LATAM newsletter in Spanish and make it a more useful information tool for retailers, this office has made contact with the editors of the Peruvian Photonews Peru magazine to become co-responsible for the newsletter, along with the Director of Activities for LATAM.

Contact with PMA members has continued to be conducted by visits to their shops, e-mail or telephone.

Mediterranean Activity Report

National Chairperson: Dario Bassi, Ascofoto, Milan, Italy

The process of merging the photographic/ imaging industry with the information technology industry is still settling. Dealers who traditionally relied upon develop-and-print business have discovered not only that a great part of their revenues are disappearing, but also that they are being exposed to a different and stiffer competition with lower margins and more demanding suppliers. Individually owned retail shops, which counted in the thousands only a few years ago, are rapidly disappearing, leaving room for other forms of distribution in which central buying, international control, tight margins and fast technical obsolescence leave little room for most dealers.

The same effect applies also to the local manufacturers, mostly involved in the traditional electro-mechanical and chemical industries. In this evolving scenario, this office's activity is totally devoted to supporting and educating our members, and the great success of conferences is proof of this. The demand is now for a new form of assistance that will enable a more modern approach to dealers.

New Zealand Activity Report

National Chairperson: Graham Boswell, Snapshot Ltd., Hamilton, New Zealand 

The photographic market in New Zealand continues to consolidate as several businesses close down. Pharmacies in New Zealand have traditionally had a large photographic presence with many owning their own minilabs, but in the last year, many have disposed of minilabs and replaced them with a kiosk or exited the photographic market altogether. Several are just acting as a consumer pickup depot for online processors.

PMA New Zealand is continuing to collect kiosk sales data, and this is proving to be an excellent source of information for the wholesalers and also for the presenters on kiosks at our DIMA[R] Day. Interestingly, sales of instant print kiosks were originally outstripping digital ordering kiosks, but this has changed over the last year. Instant kiosks are going into pharmacy and consumer electronics stores, while the traditional photographic store is now opting for the digital ordering systems.

PMA New Zealand held its ninth one-day DIMA conference in November 2006 in Auckland. The theme was "Stand Out From the Crowd," and 108 people attended and received tremendous support in terms of sponsorship and exhibitors.

The PMA Australia Convention in Sydney was well attended by New Zealanders. The PMA New Zealand office has continued to publish its newsletter, now only sent by e-mail.

United Kingdom Activity Report

National Chairperson: Peter Thornton, Quicksnaps Photo Digital, Kendal, England

The year started with a highly successful PMA Europe Conference in October. There were more than 400 attendees and 41 sponsors. Highlights were presentations by Bill McCurry, customer service guru Chris Daffy and retail performance expert Dennis Reid.

In the summer, the biennial PSPA Conference attracted 200 attendees, labs and photographers. Prior to the conference, a market survey was taken of what parents wanted from their school portraits; the results of which were used to start the conference program. Also featured at the PSPA conference was a clear resolution to require a Code of Practice, which would clarify the work and scope of school photographers and make school photographers more acceptable to certain local education authorities who were growing increasingly nervous about photos of children.

With the convergence of technology, the minilab and retail advisory committees were amalgamated this year, and a very successful meeting looked at a range of subjects, including market data, staff training and risk analysis. The setting up of the Photo Retail Business Academy was discussed, and the first meeting of the Academy took place in October 2006. For the first time, the Advisory Group Dinner was attended by eight suppliers who took the opportunity to further discuss the subjects brought up during the day.