National Postal Forum defended from critics, along with cuts…

From Max Heath

This year’s National Postal Forum in San Francisco is coming in for quite a bit of negative press.

Just as information, I have attended most forums for about 25 years but am sitting out this one as the dynamic duo of National Newspaper Association CEO Tonda Rush and Bradley Hill, NNA MTAC representative and President of Interlink, represent all of us there.

The forum is actually produced by an independent non-profit group that does work hand-in-glove with USPS and is run by some former postal managers, some former mailers and a few independent folks who specialize in such massive meetings.

USPS does have the cost of travel and lodging for its people. But, I can tell you the number of postal people attending has been cut back severely and continually over the years.

While part of the meeting is pure propaganda by USPS, I can attest that there is value in attendance, and most people there work very hard. It is an exhausting 3-4 days that start early and end late, but with lots of useful options, including a consultation center combining people from Washington, D.C., New York and Memphis that NNA brings problems to with all players available.

Social occasions and consultation areas allow mailers  to bring complaints  and problems and swap business cards with top managers. The trade show is educational. I honestly find it valuable, and it allows access for many people who manage mailrooms for colleges and industry, mail service providers, and a large array of people who do not get the access enjoyed by NNA at MTAC quarterly meetings in D.C. Tonda and Brad are presenters at the meeting as  well.