The new year is bringing some changes to our coverage of the package-printing and converting industry. It's not all a matter of "out with the old, and in with the new," but it does mean communicating with you in different ways.

First, we're retiring a few of our older market- and process-related columns—and saying a fond farewell to some of the consultants who've been a regular part of Converting over the years.

Published since June 1995, the "Narrow Web Niche" Q&A column devoted to roll-label converting was first written by Skip Heintzelman. Graphic Solutions Intl. president Suzanne Zaccone took over the column from Skip in 2003.

Fox Valley Technical College instructor Steve Utschig has contributed his "Flexo Forum" Q&A column since July 1997. His insights into flexo-press operations for Converting concluded last month.

"Ask AIMCAL," running regularly since September 1998, was written by a rotating team of technical consultants serving the Assn. of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters & Laminators. Coordinated by Ed Cohen, "Ask AIMCAL" was our print version of the association's online Help Desk, which is still available at www.aimcal.org.

Keeping its monthly prominence as our closing editorial page will be David Roisum's "Web Works" column. This month, Dave begins his 12th year of answering all questions regarding web handling (page 64).

Beginning its second year is the new "Prepress Primer" column by Alex Hamilton. Look for Alex's next installment on the brave new world of CTP, color management and digital workflow in our February issue.

So, while we're switching away from some columns as a communication method, what's replacing them will be fresher and more fast-paced. Five times next year we'll be publishing Industry Roundtables focused on the key converting fields of flexography, coating and laminating, and tag and label printing.

One such Roundtable is already in the works as the AIMCAL Converters Panel, which will be held on March 19 during that group's winter management meeting in Bonita Springs, FL. Representatives from five leading AIMCAL converter-member companies will address the hard-hitting issues impacting their businesses on a day-to-day basis. In an unusual format—think of it as an industry talk-show—these top managers will discuss how they deal with meeting customer demands, growing sales in a budget-conscious environment, combating cheap imports, and investing for the future. The panel's responses will become one of the published Industry Roundtables.

We plan similar conclaves with flexo package printers and tag and label converters. And further, we're already working with AIMCAL toward a roundtable of technical experts addressing product development and research issues at the association's fall 2005 conference.

Finally, print is one thing, but electronic publishing is another altogether. Celebrating five years of reporting industry news is our "Frontline News" E-newsletter, sent to nearly 20,000 subscribers twice a month. I encourage you to use this handy e-mail vehicle to tell us your news, comments or suggestions.

Welcome 2005! Here's planning for an interesting, prosperous and event-filled new year.