PMA Press Release 14/12/04

JACKSON, Mich.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 14, 2004—Consumers are benefiting this holiday season from the digital imaging expertise provided by the Photo Marketing Association International(R) Expert Photo Center (EPC) program, which retailers use to communicate their high level of trained expertise to customers.

When consumers shop at one of the certified PMA Expert Photo Centers throughout the United States, they are assured of receiving knowledgeable customer service. The EPC facility must be an active PMA member, have a Certified Photographic Consultant (CPC) or Society of Photo Finishing Engineers (SPFE) member on staff during all hours the retail firm is open, and be a Qualified Digital Processing Center (QDPC).

The QDPC program requirements include owning and operating equipment to process photos from digital cameras/media on-site, being able to produce a 4-by-6 or larger print from the primary digital output device used for on-site digital photo processing, and be able to provide types of digital output services offered. QDPCs are prominently featured on the PMA consumer photo website, www.prints-are-memories.com, which educates consumers on the wide world of digital imaging.

“The Expert Photo Center is a highly visible centerpiece of the QDPC program for the several thousand retail locations in the photo imaging industry certified as Expert Photo Centers,” said PMA Executive Director Ted Fox. “Consumers can go to an Expert Photo Center and know with assurance that the Center’s sales personnel are the most qualified in the industry selling digital imaging products and services.”

PMA is ...
For 80 years, PMA has served as an international trade association for the changing needs of the expanding photo imaging industry with more than 20,000 members in 100-plus countries, headquartered in Jackson, Mich. In addition to the United States, there are membership offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, Italy, France, Czech Republic and Russia.

PMA membership is open to any firm doing a substantial portion of its business in photo imaging retailing, processing (digital and silver halide) or service work. PMA provides more than 100 services to its members, and holds the world’s largest annual trade show for photo imaging.