The West Coast Art and Frame Expo, formerly The West Coast Art & Frame Show, is pleased to announce that Deborah Salmon has been named the new Trade Show Director. Previously Vice President of PFM Seminars, Deborah has been an integral part of the continued success of The WCAF Expo and National Conference, providing innovative leadership and direction year after year.
     David Gherman, President of Hobby Publications, said, “I felt it was in the best interest of the show to promote Deborah to the role of Trade Show Director given her years of experience, dedication to the industry, and proven track record. We all look forward to her taking the show to the next level.”
      “I’ve been with the WCAF Expo since its inception, and it’s been remarkable to see the show’s growth and popularity over the last 12 years. In this new position, I look forward to making the Trade Show and National Conference into an even more rewarding and worthwhile experience for exhibitors and attendees,” Deborah said.
      Rob Gherman, formerly Show Director, has been promoted to the position of Director of Product Development for Hobby Publications. Because of his longevity and commitment to the show, Rob has chosen to remain on as Director of Sales for The WCAF Expo. Bruce Gherman, Publisher of Picture Framing Magazine, will also step in to the newly formed position of Director of Trade Show Marketing for the WCAF Expo.
The WCAF Expo is the most successful trade show and educational forum in the art and framing industry, attracting leading vendors and attendees from around the world.
      For more information on The West Coast Art & Frame Expo, please visit www.wcafshow.com. For more information on the National Conference, please visit www.pfmseminars.com/nc.

Max Moulding Sponsors Charity Event
Max Moulding is an official sponsor of the first annual charity golf tournament for the Los Angeles and Orange County offices of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The golf event took place October 1 at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, CA. The proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the JDRF, founded in 1970, a leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research. Since its founding, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Max Moulding joins other corporate sponsors in working to make this event a huge success. The goal is bring the community together to advance the care of people with this disease. For more information about the JDRF, visit www.jdrf.org.

Vega Joins Universal Arquati
Universal Arquati recently added Liz Vega to the customer service team at UA headquarters in Santa Clarita, CA. Liz comes with many years of customer service experience and can be reached at 800-668-362 ext. 2004 or at LizV@universalarquati.com.   

Lanford to Speak at the National Conference
April Hann Lanford, vice president of The Conservation Center in Chicago, IL, will be a new speaker at the National Conference in Las Vegas, January 27-30, 2013. She will be speaking on how framers can benefit from working with conservators, including restoring and reframing art damaged by fire, flood, and other disasters. April oversees and coordinates nationwide fine art disaster response, conservation operations, and client services at the Conservation Center. She holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has more than 15 years of experience in custom framing and fine art conservation. She has been featured in numerous publications and regularly speaks at conferences across the country.

PPFA 2013 Annual Convention Set for January in Las Vegas
The Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) will hold its PPFA 2013 Annual Convention January 26-30, 2013, at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. As in 2012, the Convention will run concurrent with the West Coast Art & Frame Show/National Conference, with special pricing allowing framers to take full advantage of both events.
      PPFA will offer education classes and certification exams and courses, and it will host the annual Member Meeting, where outstanding members are honored with Service Awards and the new Executive Board is introduced.
      Entries in the finals of the International Open and Print Framing Competitions will be showcased on the trade show floor, where framers can vote for their favorite in the Popular Choice ballot. Winners will be honored during the Convention. PPFA members interested in training to become competition judges may take a course, and current judges can update their credentials.
      PPFA will also repeat its hugely popular Vendor Tabletop Showcase on the Sunday evening, a party and sneak preview of several trade show vendors. In addition, the annual meeting of PPFA Chapter Leaders will offer ideas for running dynamic Chapter events and more.
     Further details will be available over the coming weeks in e-mail announcements, on the PPFA Framers Corner (www.ppfacorner.com) and in the PPFA’s “For Members Only” (FMO) newsletter as well as at www.ppfa.com.