PubU | ECPA

SESSION TWO

Industry Headwinds: The Paper Market, Supply Chain & What’s Ahead

The publishing supply chain continues to evolve amid shifting market conditions and global pressures. Join industry experts for a timely look at the paper market, supply chain trends, and other emerging issues impacting book manufacturing. Learn what publishers should have on their radar and how publishers and suppliers can navigate the changing landscape together.

Matt Baehr

Matt Baehr is the Chief executive of Book Manufacturers' Institute, a 90 year-old trade association comprised of both manufacturers and suppliers. Responsible for all membership, marketing, events, sales, technology and government affairs activities. Full management of two annual conferences held in various locations through the US. Achieved a 46% net turnaround in event profitability in first year at the association. Launched new conference, educational and market research programs, growing revenue portfolio and diversifying revenue streams. Grew membership numbers, reversing 10-year trend of declining numbers, while posting a profitable year for the first time in 10 years. Grew membership during the pandemic by creating industry-wide resources open to members/non-members alike.

Bill Rojack

Bill Rojack is Senior Vice President of Sales at MIDLAND. With 30 years of experience in the paper business, he specializes in sourcing and developing paper products and programs for many markets, concentrating uniquely on publishing and direct mail verticals. Bill’s personal interest in environmental stewardship led him to adopt now-popular sustainability trends in the paper sector. This interest has also provided Bill a unique opportunity to develop aggressive but achievable procurement strategies in collaboration with global paper manufacturers and supply chain partners. While admittedly concerned by the quickening pace of change in the industry (paper, printing, publishing, advertising, and retailing), Bill is energized by the many opportunities that such change presents. He is a self-described optimist, a dedicated husband and father of 4, and a tireless worker.

SESSION THREE

Steering Towards Seamless Print Production

Explore how technology, efficient workflows, and strong processes can create a more seamless print production experience. This session will look at practical ways to streamline production, reduce errors, improve quality, and build efficiencies that benefit publishers, print partners, and ultimately the customer.

Steve Zweber

Steve Zweber, Vice President, Global Print Manufacturing, Operations & Distribution | Thomson Reuters | Core Print Solutions is an experienced executive leader of large scale (>$500M) global manufacturing & fulfillment operations.

SESSION FOUR

From Reactive to Resilient: Rethinking the Publishing Supply Chain

The traditional publishing supply chain has been stretched to the limit starting with the Covid epidemic, with a seemingly unending series of challenges in the succeeding years. Domestic book manufacturing capacity has fallen, paper mills have either shut down or transitioned to higher margin products, Amazon has emerged as the leading customer for virtually every publisher, placing new demands on publisher operations, transportation costs have surged as the cost of fuel has skyrocketed, and tariffs and unprecedented geopolitical stress have exerted additional pressure on the already razor thin margins of publishers. There is little reason to believe that this volatility will change for the better in the immediate future and accordingly, publishers must take a realistic look at their supply chains and implement strategies that adapt to the new reality and commit to maintaining an unflinching look as their supply chains face further challenges.

This PubU session will feature a conversation that discusses leading edge strategies targeted at building more nimble and adaptable supply chains, supply chains that emphasize total cost of ownership rather than unit manufacturing cost, cash management over bloated inventories, and anticipating rather than reacting to emerging supply chain challenges.

David Hetherington

David Hetherington is the Vice President of Global Business Development for Books International, a leading provider of digital book manufacturing and fulfillment services to book publishers. He holds a BS in business administration from Edison University and MBA in Corporate Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Hetherington’s portfolio reflects a broad range of responsibilities including VP of Manufacturing and VP of Financial Planning for Simon & Schuster Higher Education division. In addition, Mr. Hetherington held leadership roles in Finance and Operations at Reader’s Digest, Wolters Kluwer Health, Columbia University Press and Baker & Taylor. Mr. Hetherington also served as Chief Operating Officer of Klopotek North America and as Chief Marketing Officer for knk Software. Mr. Hetherington also serves as an adjunct professor and on the Advisory Board member for Pace University’s Graduate Publishing Program and served on the board of directors for the Book Industry Study Group, Book Manufacturers Institute, Pub West, and the Minnesota Publishers Round Table. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and has contributed articles to Book Business Magazine, IBPA magazine, and the Springer’s Publishing Research Quarterly.

SESSION FIVE

Beyond the Handoff: Building Better Books Together

This is a combined session with the Design Track

Design and Production share the same goal: creating beautiful, meaningful books that are produced efficiently and within budget. When these teams collaborate well, everyone benefits—publishers, retailers, authors, and, most importantly, readers. This interactive session explores how strong partnerships between Design and Production lead to better books, smoother workflows, and better business outcomes. Together, we'll examine common collaboration challenges, identify ways to break down departmental silos, and discuss practical approaches to building trust, improving communication, and making better decisions throughout the publishing process. The session begins with perspectives and ideas from both the Design and Production tracks, followed by a facilitated conversation where participants can share experiences, challenges, and solutions. You'll leave with practical, actionable ideas to strengthen cross-functional collaboration and elevate both your team's process and the quality of the books you create.

Torrey Sharp

Torrey Sharp is the owner and principal of Faceout Studio, a market leading firm specializing in book design. The studio designs hundreds of books each year working with the world's top media companies, mid–size publishers, university presses, and individual authors. Over the years, Faceout Studio’s work has been recognized by Communication Arts, the AIGA, the AAUP, ECPA, the IBPA, Print magazine, Eye magazine, the New York Book Show, Graphis, and the American Advertising Federation. Torrey earned his economics degree from Wheaton College, IL after spending most of his growing up years in Brazil. He has been in the publishing industry since 1996.

Brian Conley

Brian Conley is the Production, Design, and Digital Publishing Manager at Ave Maria Press, where he has been a key member of the team since 1997. Over nearly three decades with the company, Brian has taken on a wide range of roles reflective of the collaborative nature of a small press. He began his career as a Graphic Designer, spending 17 years creating book covers and interior layouts before transitioning to Production Manager in 2015, overseeing all printed books and marketing materials. In November 2024, Brian stepped into his current role, where he now leads the design and digital publishing efforts in addition to managing production. He supervises a team of graphic designers and a digital publishing specialist while continuing to guide the press’s print production processes. Outside of his professional work, Brian has been married to his wife for nearly 24 years, and together they have two sons, ages 18 and 20.

SESSION SIX

P&O Unscripted: Your Questions Answered

Wrap up the Production & Operations track with an open Q&A covering the questions that matter most to you. From follow-ups on conference sessions to print production, manufacturing, supply chain, workflows, and beyond—bring your questions and hear perspectives from both the publisher and printer sides of the industry. Be sure to submit your questions throughout the conference!

Phil Knight

Phil Knight is the General Manager of Color House Graphics, a book-printing and manufacturing company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan As General Manager, Phil has worked at CHG for over 20 years and plays an important role in every job, both big and small. His positive outlook on life is contagious; he is sure to make you smile whenever you connect with him.

Linda Walz

Linda Walz is the Production Director at Tyndale House Publishers and has been helping produce books and Bibles for more than 35 years. She works with a dynamic group of buyers and loves being part of the process that brings the authors’ messages and the designers’ visions to life. In her free time, Linda enjoys combing for fun finds at antique markets, reading, and paper crafting. She and her husband, Bruce, are the proud parents of five adult children and are enjoying their new role as grandparents.