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The Golden Age of FTA
Hard to believe it’s FTA's Golden Anniversary Year -- 2008. Our commitment to "making flexo stronger," though first voiced in 1958 still holds true. In fact, it governs everything we do, represents the 2008 Forum theme, and keeps the momentum flowing.
Advancement has been the driving force behind all programs -- from Forum and other FTA conferences and workshops, to publications and magazines, to online training and educational initiatives that include scholarships and endowments -- and has ranked atop our priority list for 50 years. While we always look forward at FTA, a glimpse back into our history will briefly document where we've been, how we got there, where we are today, and where we're going tomorrow.
1958
September 26 saw FTA's charter adopted. First year membership stood at 200 locations. Within one year, the first Annual Meeting and Technical Forum was staged, attracting 300 attendees.
1960s
The decade opened as the first Excellence Awards competition was held. Two years later, Flexography: Principles & Practices was published. The work is now in its fifth edition with an updated timeline being discussed.
1970s
Foundation of FTA came into being in 1974. Shortly thereafter, the FTA's official publication, Flexographic Technical Journal, debuted. The magazine began as a quarterly, becoming bi-monthly toward the end of the decade.
1980s
Forum was held outside the U.S. for the first time (Toronto, ON, Canada) in 1982. The theme: Flexography, Planning for Tomorrow. Midway through the decade, membership topped 1,000 locations, International Seminars made its debut, and Flexographic Technical Journal evolved into FLEXO® Magazine, which soon began printing monthly. Meanwhile, FLEXO's pages were produced flexographically for the first time ever. Regular demonstration projects continue on a semi-regular basis to this day.
1990s
Aimed at building a stronger workforce, the Flexo in High School Program is introduced. Membership breached 1,500 company locales, and the Excellence Awards drew nearly 800 entries. FTA's official website, www.fta-ffta.org, debuted. Before the year's end, the URL was changed to www.flexography.org. In 1998, the premier edition of Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications and Tolerances (FIRST) was developed and released.
2000s
The decade kicked off the opening FTA's online store, www.ftastore.com. The association also began teaming with other graphic arts societies -- such as PIA/GATF, TLMI and TAPPI -- in programs and events. In 2005, FTA launched its Strategic Planning Initiative (SPI) to better cater to the needs of the membership. The same year it established the Technical Advancement Council to oversee and coordinate work by several of the association's technical committees.
Spawning from SPI, FTA revived its popular Regional Workshops, and also revised its official Bylaws, which resulted in a membership restructuring. The Forum served to connect various international FTA's as we came together, first in a joint booth at drupa 2004, and again in 2007 when we opened "Flexo's Global Gateway."
The story is far more in depth than space allows for these highlights. Fifty Years of Making Flexo Stronger -- get used to that phrase, you'll be hearing it a lot throughout 2008. It defines FTA. And that was the intention right from the very start.
Celebratory Activities
FTA has begun planning its 50th anniversary celebrations. Please join us in the festivities! - A special, commemorative logo is being used through 2008 on all FTA correspondences. We encourage FTA members to use this logo which is available for download.
- A commemorative journal is being compiled and will be unveiled and distributed at the 2008 Annual Forum, as well as at every major conference and tradeshow throughout the year.
- The 2008 Annual Forum theme ties into the anniversary and is "FTA's Golden Anniversary: 50 years of Making Flexo Stronger."
- The Forum luncheon, which will be held on April 28, will be a special anniversary party.
- FLEXO® Magazine is highlighting important milestones in FTA's history and featuring charter members.
Help celebrate FTA's Golden Anniversary! Download the official FTA Golden Anniversary logo and post it on your company website, in your advertisements, brochures, stationary, email signatures, and more!
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You can sign up for FTA Membership online at www.ftastore.com.
For questions or more information regarding membership
in Flexographic Technical Association,
please contact
our Membership
Department via email or phone 631-737-6020
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