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Production Day

Thursday, April 11, 2024 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) (EDT)

Description



Join DMAW for Production Day on April 11, 2024!


Whether you're just getting started in direct mail production or looking to hear what’s new, Production Day is the event for you. Join industry colleagues for a comprehensive training seminar led by experts in print, data processing, personalization, mailshop operations, postage and more! Get equipped with the knowledge to kickstart your campaigns effectively, covering topics such as:


  • Optimizing design choices for the best quality, scheduling, and budget alignment
  • Harnessing the power of data, personalization, and construction for impactful mail packages
  • Taking control of postage expenses and ensuring on-time in-home delivery


PROGRAM AGENDA
    

9:00 - 9:30 amRegistration & Continental Breakfast


9:30 - 9:45 amWelcome & Intentions of the Day

Speaker: Meredith Piemme, Business Development Director, Production Solutions


9:45 - 10:00 amIntroduction to Production

Speaker: Tania Rauf, Production Director, The Harrington Agency


10:00 - 10:45 amThe Pre-Production Process

Speaker: Traci Cacioppo, Vice President, Production, The Lukens Company

Everything you need to know to kickstart the creation of your direct mail campaign, positioning it for success as it rolls through the process. We’ll begin with scheduling and finish with final art ready to send to a printer, touching on DM best practices and why it’s critical to involve your production partners from the start.

  • The importance of communicating with all parties.
  • Navigating schedules in the current production environment.
  • What your Production person needs to know – and why.


10:45 - 11:30 amPrinting is Not Dead

Speakers: Aleka Agapitides, Account Executive, Rite Envelope; Jeff Miller, EVP Sales and Marketing, Allied Print Resources; Alan Rich, President, Nova Label

The printing process is one of the single most important elements of a mailed campaign. Don’t leave it to chance. In this segment, we will discuss the current challenges of managing direct mail in 2022, different print technologies for your envelopes, labels and printed components, as well as the different production workflows you can choose. As vendors, we are your partners, and as such, your technical resource to be sure your design fits and prints efficiently within our equipment.


  • Engage with supplier partners.
  • Save time and delays.
  • Save potentially 1000’s of dollars in production costs.
  • Minimize postage with proper planning.
  • Eliminate need for rework and redesign.
  • Available optional workflows and how to be more flexible in today’s volatile industry conditions.


11:30 - 11:45 amBreak


11:45 am - 12:15 pmDigital Printing

Speaker: Joel Kaufman, Senior Account Executive, DCG

This session will focus on the different types of digital printing, how relevant data can make a real impact, the different types of variable content, the different variable content workflows, and factors to determine your project workflow and how to pivot if needed with last minute monkey wrenches. Lots of visual examples will help illustrate all of this content. 




12:15 - 2:00 pmBreak / Lunch / Tours / One-on-One Discussions


2:00 - 2:30 pmData Hygiene / Data Processing

Speaker: Kelly Leech, Principal, Carol Enters List Company (CELCO)

This session will focus on strategies to amplify the power of your mail files so you can reach the most critical donors! Every step in the production process is important, but it all starts with the data. Who are you contacting? What response should you expect? With proven tips and tricks backed by real-world examples, we will show you how Data Processing shouldn’t just be an afterthought – it should be your FIRST thought when it comes to direct mail campaigns.


  • What are the Most Critical Details needed for complete Data Processing Specs?
  • The Five Most Common Data Processing Missteps and How to Avoid Them
  • Personalization Strategies for Speaking Directly to Donors
  • How Data Hygiene can deliver precision to your mail files
  • Discussion on the current Data Privacy environment


2:30 - 3:15 pmMail Shop – The Ins and Outs of Mail Shop

Speaker: Shannon Sittler, Senior Sourcing Manager, Production Solutions


During this session you will learn everything you’ve EVER wanted to know about how direct mail arrives to the mail shop and gets transformed from sheets and rolls of paper into letter packages that arrive in mailboxes across the country.

  • The importance of setting schedule expectations.
  • The print is ready and/or shipped to the mail shop. Now what?
  • Considerations during the personalization process, data processing, and quality control.
  • The final steps. Trim. Fold. Insert. Mail – sounds simple, it’s not!
  • How to make the impossible possible and get your mailing out in a few days.


3:15 - 4:00 pmThe USPS and Postal Logistics

Speaker: Dave Lewis, President, SnailWorks

  • An overview of the State of the Postal Service and what we may see in the future.
  • Review of Postal Logistics Strategies.
  • How to approach planning and tracking of your mailings to meet your targeted in-home dates.
  • Tips on how to navigate some of the most frequently asked postal questions.


4:00 - 4:15 pmWrap Up / Q&A

Speaker: Meredith Piemme, Business Development Director, Production Solutions


4:15 - 5:15 pmIndulge and mingle at our Dessert Social Hour!




Full participation in Production Day is applicable for 5.00 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.


THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL PARTNERS!
    

TOTE BAG
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
WI-FI





LUNCH
AFTERNOON BREAK
DESSERT BAR









SESSION PARTNER
SESSION PARTNER
SESSION PARTNER




SESSION PARTNER
PLANT TOUR PARTNER
SESSION PARTNER




CONSENT TO USE IMAGES AND RECORDINGS

Media Release: By registering, you grant the Direct Marketing Association of Washington permission to photograph, video/audio record, and use your image and likeness in DMAW publications, promotions, and other media. You understand that DMAW has exclusive rights to these visual and audio recordings.

Photographs, videos, and recordings may be taken at the event for use on the DMAW website, print collateral, press, future marketing materials, and social media. By attending this event, you consent to DMAW photographing, taking video, and using your image and likeness.

If you prefer not to have your information shared, please opt out by submitting a written request to programs@dmaw.org.


DCG ONE
800 Commerce Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 United States

DCG ONE (formerly Corporate Communications Group)

Thursday, April 11, 2024 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) (EDT)
Categories
Education - Seminars, Workshops, Tutorials
Registered Guests
55
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