Fairfax, VA—In a move that enhances its current partnership with NAPCO Media, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) has acquired NAPCO Media. Under the terms of the agreement, NAPCO Media will become an LLC and continue to operate as an independent entity. In addition, SGIA’s board of directors unanimously approved the acquisition.
NAPCO owns Printing Impressions, Packaging Impressions, PromoMarketing, In-Plant Impressions, TotalRetail, Target Marketing and also Wide-Format Impressions. In addition, all NAPCO Media staff and business units will remain in place. SGIA offices and NAPCO Media offices will continue to reside in Fairfax, Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, respectively.
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association & NAPCO
In 2017, SGIA and NAPCO Media first formed a strategic partnership. The goal was to create a global platform to connect print service providers and suppliers in the graphic and visual communication industry. That platform, PRINT United, is based on the former SGIA Expo. PRINT United will occur October 23–25, 2019, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. 
“In an industry where traditional boundaries and segments continue to come together, an organization that spans the breadth of the industry is needed more than ever,” said Ford Bowers, CEO and president, SGIA. “Research, education, training, relationships, government affairs, technology and more are not nearly as siloed as they once were. Moreover, it is imperative that organizations develop a broad ability to address market needs, either through more close-knit collaboration or, as in this instance, combination.”
Dave Leskusky will remain president of NAPCO Media. He said, “We are thrilled to cement our relationship with SGIA. NAPCO Media and SGIA share a common mission; to build community and be the primary resource for information and education to help the industry flourish. In order to best serve our communities, we need to create a year-round platform that includes events, media, research and more. Combining forces makes perfect sense.”
“While SGIA is buying NAPCO Media,” Leskusky added, “this is more of a vertical merger; it will capitalize on our unique strengths and lay the foundation for organic growth. Our current plan amplifies the strengths of each company to extend our reach as a combined organization across all of the audiences we serve.”
SGIA
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is the premier printing and graphic arts trade organization. Moreover, it provides members with resources, tools and education to promote growth and convergence into new market segments.
In addition, SGIA-produced events include PRINT United (Dallas; October 23–25, 2019) and Graphics of the Americas (Miami; February 27–29, 2020).
